Lionel Messi once revealed that Barcelona players “hated” a Premier League club more than their traditional rivals, Real Madrid – a statement he admitted he “never thought” he would make.
The Argentine was just 18 when he made these remarks in a 2005 interview with the News of the World…Continue Reading
At the time, tensions were high between Barcelona and Chelsea following a dramatic Champions League last-16 encounter, where Chelsea staged a memorable comeback at Stamford Bridge.
A week prior, Jose Mourinho had stirred controversy by making critical comments about referee Anders Frisk after Didier Drogba’s contentious red card in the first leg.
The heated two-legged tie left Barcelona’s players with lasting bitterness, and ahead of their 2006 last-16 clash, the young Messi openly expressed his frustration with Chelsea.
“There are [Barcelona] players here who hate Chelsea more than Real Madrid,” he said.
“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 vs Argentina – but this is.
“We would rather play Arsenal, Manchester United or anyone else than be on the pitch with Chelsea.”
Messi went on to deliver another phenomenal performance for Barcelona, despite being brought down by Chelsea defender Asier Del Horno, who received a red card for a brutal foul on the Argentine.
An own goal by John Terry and a late strike from Samuel Eto’o secured a first-leg advantage for Barcelona, and they eventually eliminated Jose Mourinho’s team after a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona would go on to win the Champions League that year, with Juliano Belletti scoring a late winner against Arsenal at the Stade de France.
Messi later described the 2012 Champions League loss to Chelsea as one of his biggest regrets during his time with Barcelona.
“I would have liked to have tried to win another Champions League,” he said in 2021, when he announced his decision to leave his boyhood team.
“We got knocked out in the semi-finals by Liverpool which stopped us getting to another final. We got to the semi-final with Chelsea with Pep [Guardiola], they prevented us from getting to another final.
“And I think there could have been another time where we could have won another Champions League.”
