No Messi concerns for Fabregas

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has backed Lionel Messi amid criticism regarding of his team-mate’s form.

The Argentina international’s form for Barca has dipped in recent appearances, including a penalty miss in the dying seconds of his side’s 0-0 draw with Sevilla in La Liga last Saturday.

But ex-Arsenal midfielder Fabregas was full of praise for his former La Masia youth academy colleague, and holds no concerns over Messi’s form.

“I haven’t heard any arguments,” Fabregas told ESPN.

“He’s my age. If you see the progress he’s made, I don’t think I’ll ever see it again. He’s won everything, except the World Cup.”

“He scores goals every game, makes them, always plays. He’s a fabulous player, physically and mentally. If there are doubts about Messi, I don’t know how they see the rest of us. I’ve never played with a player like him, either at youth level or professionally.

“He’s humble, never hides, always gives everything for the team, and loves the club. There’s nothing more to say.”

Both Fabregas and Messi are likely to start against Mallorca at the Camp Nou on Saturday, with the current European champions – sitting in third on the La Liga table – looking to make up ground on Real Madrid and Levante.