Lionel Messi Names Premier League Club Barcelona Hated More Than Real Madrid
- Lionel Messi once admitted that Barcelona players held a deep dislike for a Premier League club, even more than Real Madrid
- The intense animosity stemmed from heated Champions League clashes, controversial refereeing decisions, and dramatic eliminations
- According to Messi, his teammates dreaded facing this English side and would have preferred to play against any other team
Lionel Messi once admitted that he and several Barcelona teammates held a stronger dislike for a Premier League club than even their fiercest domestic rivals, Real Madrid.
The Argentine, who featured in 45 El Clásico clashes, was well acquainted with the intense rivalry between Barcelona and Los Blancos.
Source: Getty Images
However, despite the historic tensions between Spain’s top two clubs, Messi revealed that there was another team that frustrated Barça’s players so much that they would have rather faced any other opponent than the English side.
Messi won four Champions League titles with Barcelona, including two final victories over Manchester United. He frequently faced Premier League teams in Europe, experiencing both triumphs and setbacks.
Messi names the English team Barcelona players hated
Back in 2006, ahead of a Champions League Round of 16 clash, Messi revealed that his Barcelona teammates had developed a deep dislike for Chelsea—more than he had ever seen any players resent a football team.
In an interview with the now-defunct News of the World, as transcribed by Sky Sports, the then-teenager explained:
"There are players here who hate Chelsea more than Real Madrid. "I never thought I would hear myself say that.I also never thought I would see something worse than the Boca and River Plate rivalry or Brazil v Argentina - but this is. We would rather play Arsenal, Manchester United or anyone else than be on the pitch with Chelsea."
Barcelona and Chelsea rivalry
Tensions between Barcelona and Chelsea were at an all-time high, sparked by the Blues' dramatic comeback at Stamford Bridge in a heated Champions League clash.
Just a week earlier, Jose Mourinho had ignited controversy with remarks about referee Anders Frisk following Didier Drogba’s controversial red card in the first leg.
Source: Getty Images
Messi shone for Frank Rijkaard’s side, despite being on the receiving end of a brutal challenge from Asier Del Horno, which saw the Chelsea defender sent off.
An own goal from John Terry and a late strike by Samuel Eto’o secured Barcelona’s first-leg advantage, and they sealed Chelsea’s elimination with a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou—eventually winning the Champions League by defeating Arsenal in the final.
The rivalry only intensified in 2009 when Andres Iniesta’s last-gasp equalizer in the semi-finals knocked Chelsea out amid a storm of controversial refereeing decisions.
Messi lights up Jamaica
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi's first-ever time in Jamaica left the whole country in a state of excitement as he arrived with his Inter Miami side for the CONCACAF Champions Cup game against Cavalier.
For the first time, fans of Cavalier were unbothered by the outcome of the game as all attention was on the Argentina legend.
Messi delivered in his first game in Jamaica, the 51st country he has played in, after climbing off the bench to score as Miami returned to the United States with a deserving 2-0 win.
Luis Suarez, who he replaced, had opened the scoring from the spot in the 37th minute for the Americans.
Inter Miami have now progressed to the quarter-final of the Concacaf Cup and will face Los Angeles FC in the last 8 of the competition.
Bukari explains Ronaldo celebration
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Ghana and Austin FC forward Osman Bukari has admitted that he is more famous for hitting Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic 'siuu' celebration during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Black Stars forward has had a flying start to the season in the new Major League Soccer campaign, scoring the winning goal in Austin FC's opener against Sporting Kansas City.
Before moving to the United States, Bukari enjoyed a successful two-year spell in Serbia with Red Star Belgrade, earning him a place in Ghana's World Cup and AFCON squads.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
