Barcelona's ace was the target of numerous digs for the team's lack of production in front of goal against the worst team in CONMEBOL.

When things don't go the way they were supposed to, usually the leaders take most of the blame. That's the case with Argentina's National Team, where Lionel Messi was once again the target of all digs by Argentinean journalists following their disappointing draw against Venezuela.

"La Pulga" was, by far, one of the best players in Jorge Sampaoli's lineup, but even then, he wasn't able to escape criticism. Diario Olé was particularly harsh with the Argentine ace, as can be seen on today's cover.

"Who should we pray to? If Messi's praying, then the National Team REALLY needs a miracle," stated the headline on the Argentine newspaper.

Columnists also had their say on Messi's performance, and particularly, journalist Diego Macías slammed "La Pulga" for his lack of leadership during the current tough times for La Albiceleste.

"The best one in the world can't be just one more player. Messi doesn't deserve this poor version of himself. He had a promising start, with some of those touches that give you hope about finally watching him explode with the team, but he didn't," stated Macías in his column.

Diario La Nación's cover also featured a disappointed Messi, stating that "all the alarms are on" after yesterday's performance.

Argentina could be forced to enter the playoff stage in order to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but facing Perú (4th) and Ecuador (8th) doesn't give La Albiceleste any guarantees of holding on to their current fifth spot in the South American Qualifiers.