Lionel Messi is always going to be criticised when Argentina lose, says Manchester City right-back Pablo Zabaleta.
Four-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi said last month that he has no plans to let harsh media criticism from back home in Argentina affect him following the tough Copa America final loss to Chile over the summer.
The Barcelona star is training with the team in Houston in preparation for two friendlies in the United States. Argentina play Bolivia on Friday in Houston and meet Mexico four days later in Dallas.
"The criticism always hurts but we have to understand that it is part of sports," said Zabaleta, who is sitting out the Albiceleste call-up due to a knee injury. "We are the first ones to suffer, but all that is left is to move forward.
"Messi is always the target. But we suffer even more than he does when they criticise him. There are a lot of things that he does for the national team and for his teammates that no one knows about and that make him even more valuable," Zabaleta told ESPN FC radio 107.9 in Buenos Aires.
#INSERT type:image caption:Pablo Zabaleta defended his Argentina teammate Lionel Messi against critics. END#
Zabaleta said he is upset to miss this chance that the national team has at redemption.
"This wasn't just another call-up, this was a chance to be together again after Copa America," he said. "In my 12-13 years of my professional career, this is the first time I have had a knee injury and I have never suffered like this before."
Zabaleta said he is focused on playing well for the remaining two years left on his contract with City and not contemplating a move back to the Argentina league anytime soon.
"My head is at Manchester City right now, focused on a good season and taking advantage of the two years left on my contract," he said. "There are a lot of factors to take into consideration, especially my family."
Zabaleta began his career at San Lorenzo, who face Boca Juniors this weekend in a key Argentina league matchup between leaders at La Bombonera.