Thierry Henry has leapt to the defence of Lionel Messi and wonders how people can question the desire of the Barcelona star.
A video surfaced of the Argentine walking in the final minutes as his side clung on to a 2-1 lead in their Champions League game with Dynamo Kiev.
It has seen Messi accused of laziness and a lack of commitment as Barcelona struggle for form.
But Henry has recalled times when he walked during his playing days and feels as if we should appreciate the six-time Ballon d'Or winner rather than try and pick faults in him.
"I don’t understand when people question his desire. This is what bothers me. Sometimes guys pushed the ball by me and I walked!" he told the CBS Sports podcast Que Golazo.
"It wasn’t because of desire, sometimes I was tired, sometimes I just couldn’t do it, my brain wasn’t following me, it can happen or not happen.
"But how can you question the desire of Leo Messi? Really!? It’s just, for me, ludicrous. When I hear that I’m like, 'What? Are we questioning his desire?!'
"You can be bad, yes he can do better – well, I don’t even know if he can do more than he does – but questioning his desire? Please.
"Leo Messi is just an animal. Assists, passes, forget about it, we can stay all day.
"It’s pretty simple for me: just enjoy the guy while he’s there and stop complaining about stuff that he doesn’t do.
"It doesn’t happen often, let’s be honest, but like I said, if there is a guy that deserves a pass, it’s him."
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman also defended his star player earlier this week insisting he didn't see Messi walking.
"I didn't seem him [walking] and I'm not interested in this because I don't see him walking," he said.
"If you want to start a controversy around this point, it's your problem."
Messi though has been left on the bench for Barcelona's game against Real Betis with Koeman citing a lack of freshness.
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