Lionel Messi wasn’t on the Barcelona team bus that headed for the airport following defeat by Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Instead, the Argentina international was left at Anfield while the rest of his team-mates headed back to Spain without him.
The reason for Messi being left behind is that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was required to provide anti-doping testers with a sample.
The process took longer than anticipated and Barcelona chiefs made the decision to leave without their talisman.
The 31-year-old would later head to the airport where he was greeted by Barcelona fans; some of whom were angry with the shock result and made their voices heard.
(Image: Twitter)
Barcelona were expected to reach this season’s Champions League final after beating Liverpool 3-0 at the Nou Camp in the first leg of the semis.
But they were battered 4-0 at Anfield and crashed out of the competition.
Messi didn’t speak to members of the press after the game, and was filmed by fans at the airport before he flew back to Spain.
A video showed the Argentine flanked by security guards as he was accosted by some supporters.
(Image: Getty Images)
Other Barcelona fans, meanwhile, showed their appreciation for Messi.
Although Messi didn’t speak to the media following Barcelona’s defeat, his team-mate Sergio Busquets did.
The midfielder said: “They have been better than us. I apologise.
(Image: Getty Images)
“After what happened in Rome, this happened again. It’s tough to go out like this after the first-leg result.
“Liverpool have been smarter than us, they were faster. I think we had chances to score the goal we needed, but it wasn’t meant to be today.”
