The main reason Messi fans don’t want to openly admit that Messi lacks certain leadership qualities is because it’s going to be used to make the claim that Cristiano is better because he has some of those qualities that Messi is missing. There’s this DELUSIONAL idea that...

Cristiano is a “great leader” because he is more audible than Messi. Unfortunately, great leaders don’t make public statements like “if all my teammates were on my level, we would win.” Or chase personal glory during a penalty shootout, on multiple occasions.

They also don’t get angry if a teammate scores like with Arbeloa at Madrid and Mandzukic at Juve just because you’re in a pichichi or golden boot race. Messi has given numerous penalties to teammates having poor matches despite being in the scoring races himself (Luis, Ibra, etc)

Barça fans can see how Messi has evolved as a leader since his younger days. But one thing hasn’t changed: his best form of leadership is setting an example for his teammates on the pitch. He doesn’t cheer from the sidelines during Euro finals and act like he coached the team.

You can criticize that Messi isn’t the audible leader that you sometimes need, but you cannot use that as an excuse to say “Well that’s what makes Cristiano a better leader” as he himself has done wrong by his teammates so many times.

Messi’s audible leadership wouldn’t have saved Barça against Bayern. They’re meant for inspiring comebacks in a game where both teams are capable of winning or motivating a teammate after a bad mistake. They can’t miraculously score 6 goals to tie 8-8 or console 10 awful players.

Saying Messi’s not a leader and that’s why Barça couldn’t overcome Bayern is a cheap and ridiculous way to attack Messi’s legacy. But that’s the price you pay for being the best.