Andy Robertson has revealed his regret at having ruffled the hair of Lionel Messi during Liverpool’s Champions League comeback against Barcelona.
The Scottish full-back tangled with Messi early on. As both men ended up on the deck, Robertson could not help having a sly pop at the Argentine forward as he got back to his feet.
The Barcelona superstar did not take kindly to the actions of the Liverpool defender, but anything goes in the heat of battle.
Robertson told That Peter Crouch Podcast , which is available via BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live: “Me and Fabinho were tracking him [Messi] back, we both ended up on the ground.
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“I just ruffled his hair a wee bit, he wasn’t too happy but it’s something I wouldn’t do again, that’s for sure. It’s just disrespectful to the best player that’s ever played this game.
“That game was like, in the changing room, I’ve never seen a changing room like it. We were so pumped up for the game, and unfortunately it happened too early didn’t it?
“He was on the ground, I was on the ground. I don’t know what came over me! I do regret it, but it’s something everyone relates to me now, which isn’t the best.
“If I was thinking it wouldn’t have been done. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
After dumping out Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Robertson went on to help the Reds to a 2-0 win over Tottenham in the 2019 Champions League final.
He has added UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup to his collection of medals in 2019-20 and would welcome the chance to see out his playing days at the club.
Robertson added: “If you asked me now what I’d want to do, I’d love to retire at Liverpool of course, but you know how hard it is to play at the highest of levels until you’re 35-36.
“I’d love to pull on the Celtic top and walk out at Parkhead. Do I want to go back at one point to even just live? Yeah, maybe.”
