Lionel Messi has admitted that being battered by Liverpool in the Champions League was worse than losing the World Cup final.
The Barcelona superstar is still haunted by the way Jurgen Klopp’s men hit back from losing 3-0 in the first leg of last month’s semi-final to thrash the Catalans 4-0 at Anfield.
Messi says Liverpool ’s brilliant comeback gave him the biggest shock of his career – and left him feeling more bruised than when Argentina lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.
Messi said: “Obviously losing a World Cup final, which is the most important game of all, is a big disappointment.
“But it another thing altogether to have a result 3-0 in your favour and then have it turned over.
(Image: Getty)
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
“Both games were very big shocks – but losing to Liverpool hurt more because we just did not expect it.”
Messi said at the start of the season that winning a fifth European crown was his No.1 priority, but he will be back in Argentina preparing for the Copa America when Liverpool lock horns with Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham in the Wanda Metropolitan Stadium.
Messi added: “I do not regret what I said.
“I simply said we would do all we could to win the Champions League.”
