Barcelona fullback Daniel Alves admits teammate Lionel Messi has been down in recent games. Messi last week bristled at claims he was "sad".
But Alves says: "On a day to day I see him as normal, I see it. But I'm not hypocritical. It is clear that in recent games he has been emotionally down.
"Why? I do not know, I have not sought to know. I just want to know what he's interested in sharing. And if someone is not interested in sharing his life or living, who am I to ask? I respect his space.
"But I noticed he was a little more downcast than usual. I think what sets it apart from others is that he has a great personality and when he is down, he tries again."
