The Atletico Madrid defender was sent off for a nasty foul on the Barcelona star in their last encounter but he believes the league and media have made Messi their "protege"
Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis says Lionel Messi benefits from the protection of the press and La Liga.
The left-back was sent off during his side's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona at the end of January for a poor tackle on the Argentine star.
And while the 30-year-old admits he deserved to be dismissed for his challenge, he feels the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is favoured by the league and those who cover it.
"It was a red, it was no mistake by the referee, it was a just red," he told Esporte Interactivo.
"I left the field, served my suspension and that was it.
"It's something you see in every game but because it was with Messi and he is the protege of the press and the league, obviously nobody wants one of the best players of all time out and for people to miss the opportunity to see him playing, and so he created all this.
"If you give Messi a metre, he’ll snatch the ball and leave you behind. My objective is to be intense so he can’t do anything."
Atletico currently sit second in the Spanish top flight - eight points behind Barca and four ahead of city rivals Real Madrid.
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