LIONEL MESSI was caught on camera delivering a savage snub to Chris Smalling after the game as Barcelona ended Manchester United’s Champions League dream with a 3-0 win at the Nou Camp.
Messi was left shocked after ending up with a bloodied face from a Smalling challenge in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.
And when the pair met after the final whistle Messi was not up for a handshake.
As the two met on the field Smalling was seen to turn as if to shake Messi’s hand, but the Argentine pretty much ignored his approach.
Instead of a friendly handshake, the 31-year-old quickly tapped the United defender on the back, before walking off and extending his hand to embrace another player.
The action might have surprised Smalling as he claimed he had spoken with Messi about the challenge in the first leg and had explained it was an accident.
Though it appeared from Messi’s actions that he clearly hasn’t forgotten the incident from the previous week.
Barca boss Ernesto Valverde even admitted after the game in Manchester it took the striker a couple of days to recover from the challenge.
For all the criticism Barca had come under for their style of play in the opening leg, few would find fault with their performance at home.
United came into the game having to overturn an away goal deficit and Marcus Rashford nearly gave the visitors a perfect start, but his shot cannoned off the bar after just 40 seconds.
Messi then didn’t waste any time opening Barca’s account as he scored after just 16 minutes.
He then grabbed himself a second four minutes later, off a mistake from keeper David de Gea, who let a weak speculative shot roll underneath his body and into the net.
"I have to say Lionel Messi is top quality and he was the difference of course. At 2-0 it was game over,” he said.
"He's different class, he and Cristiano Ronaldo are the best players of the last decade, everyone agrees on that one.
“Messi showed his quality.
"We have to aspire to get to that level of Barcelona, we can get there but we have loads of work to do.”
And the Norwegian’s compliments were echoed by Valverde after the game.
“Leo always appears in the important games," Valverde said.
"Not just to finish off the moves, but all over the pitch.
"He's involved in all our play. He gets the goals, but he also takes on responsibility in the attack.
“When he's playing like that, he's unstoppable."
"A game between men and boys..."— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 17, 2019
"And possibly a football God."
With the expectant eyes of the world watching, Lionel Messi once again put on a mesmerizing show 🙌#NoFilterUCL puts you in the best seat in the house! pic.twitter.com/BFePU18rfI
Post A Comment:
0 comments so far,add yours