Sabella defends Messi after Mourinho jibes: 50 goals speak for themselves

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has come out in defence of his star forward Lionel Messi, responding that scoring 50 league goals was a feat that had to be applauded.

The Barcelona phenomenon found himself on the receiving end of a verbal barb from Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho this week, who suggested that his goals in La Liga were meaningless because they could do nothing to stop the Merengue running out champions.

Messi netted 50 times in the domestic campaign, beating Cristiano Ronaldo by four strikes to win the Pichichi title for the top scorer.

Although Sabella did not directly address the controversial Portuguese trainer, he left it clear in an interview with La Red that he did not share Mourinho's views in the slightest.

"The 50 goals speak for themselves, scoring this quantity is only possible for the chosen few," the former Estudiantes coach explained on Wednesday.

Sabella continued to declare himself "proud and very happy" with compatriots Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez; who formed part of Manchester City's Premier League-winning team.

He also revealed that he already had a good idea of who would represent the Albiceleste in June's World Cup qualifiers.

"For me there will be no surprises, but that depends on the person - I know very well who I am going to call."