Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has jumped to the defence of teammate Lionel Messi.

Messi is being hammered in the Argentine press after their Copa America final defeat to Chile.

"It's not easy, considering he's the best at what he does, to stay as humble as he is and be such a down-to-earth, approachable person," Mascherano said.

"Usually the best in any area see things differently, but that's not the case for Leo. He's a normal, ordinary person and that's what enables us to have such a good relationship and work well together."