On a disastrous night for Barcelona in the Champions League, former Ireland international Damien Delaney criticised Lionel Messi for his attitude as they struggled against Bayern Munich.
Beaten 8-2 by Bayern Munich, Barcelona's involvement in the Champions League this season came to a shuddering halt on Friday night.
The talismanic player and captain who has been central to the club's successes since Pep Guardiola took charge in 2008, Lionel Messi cut a frustrated figure as he looked powerless to impact the German club's control of the game.
For the former Republic of Ireland and Premier League defender Damien Delaney, however, Messi's ineffectual performance had a more sinister element to it.
"I'm probably guilty of saying that Barcelona are ruining the last few years of his career," remarked Delaney of the suggestion that it is the club who has solely failed the Argentinian star to Off The Ball, "but my God, he was poor last night.
"He wasn't just poor with the ball, his attitude stunk from a very, very early stage of the game. He threw the towel in."
A fan of Lionel Messi at his best, Delaney was appalled with what he saw as the captain's unwillingness to work when things got difficult for Barcelona.
"He was caught for I think the sixth or seventh goal," recalled Delaney, "and not only did he not run back, he walked in the other direction toward the half-way line. He wasn't even bothered watching what was going to happen.
"He was terrible, and he is your captain, your leader, your main man. I would imagine the weight of his personality carries around that changing room and if he is that upset, he will drag the whole place down with him."
Accusing Messi of "downing tools" as Bayern Munich ran riot, Delaney was unimpressed with his lack of professionalism on the night.
"He has been brilliant this year, don't be wrong," remarked Delaney of Messi's performances generally this year, "but he was the first one to throw the towel in.
"Maybe he is upset with his teammates or what is happening at boardroom level, I don't know what's up with him, but what I saw last night, it was disgusting."
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