Lionel Messi is worshipped and sacrificed at the same altar by Argentina fans, according to 1986 World Cup-winner Jorge Valdano.
Messi came in for stinging criticism from within his homeland after the Albiceleste were beaten by Chile in the final of the Copa America this summer, just a year after they lost the World Cup final to Germany.
A number of Argentina fans called for the Barcelona star to be dropped by Gerardo Martino as a result of his failure to deliver for his country, with many pointing to just one goal in the tournament as proof of his inadequate displays.
Valdano, however, believes the 28-year-old is too often heralded as a national hero before being made a scapegoat when things do not go to plan.
"I understand people need scapegoats, and they also need heroes. Messi carries the two roles on his shoulders," he told Mundo D.
"When the team wins and he contributes to the success with his fantastic football, we go to the altar to worship him. When the team loses, we go to the same altar to sacrifice him.
"In five of the six games he played at the Copa America in Chile, he was chosen as the best player.
"When you have the pressure of a nation on your back, it's difficult to enjoy it. Messi, in those moments, plays with 40 million people watching him."
Former Real Madrid man Valdano thinks the pressure on Messi is similar to that which Brazil icon Ronaldo had to deal with in the 1998 World Cup, when he suffered a mysterious fit prior to the final defeat to France.
"I knew the Brazilian Ronaldo closely. He was fun, intelligent and with truly fascinating footballing conditions," he said.
"When he got to the final of France '98 he suffered an attack which still hasn't been explained by science. It had to do with the pressure on his nervous system."
