Lionel Messi and Barcelona were an elite Manchester United’s kryptonite under Sir Alex Ferguson as they lost two separate Champions League finals to what was a match made in heaven in both 2009 and 2011.
Heading into the blockbuster affair at the Stadio Olimpico in 2009, Manchester United would have backed themselves to beat Pep Guardiola’s side as they had won a third Premier League title in a row and the Carabao Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur as well.
Furthermore, Sir Alex Ferguson was not short of superstars in his side who could propel United to win any game of football, from Cristiano Ronaldo as well as Wayne Rooney in attack to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the back.
But while the final scoreline read 2-0 in Barcelona’s favour against Manchester United, the Spanish giants had taught Ferguson and Co a footballing lesson — with Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi on the scoresheet.
At the time, Messi and Ronaldo were recognised as the two footballing phenoms who would be pitted against each other for years to come due to their otherworldly talents.
But the Argentine had the last laugh, scoring a phenomenal header to double Barcelona’s lead that is perhaps one of the best goals to have ever been scored in a Champions League final.
Lionel Messi said he’d “pay to watch” Cristiano Ronaldo before 2009 Champions League final
Months later, Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid and was embroiled in the greatest footballing rivalry there is between himself and Messi.
But at one point, Messi, 21 and Ronaldo, 24 were the game’s two biggest rising stars and still looking to become the footballing legends they are universally heralded as today.
During an interview with the Daily Mail just days before the Champions League final in Rome, Messi revealed that the one player at Manchester United he would “pay to watch” was Ronaldo.”
“Manchester United have quality everywhere. So many good players. But if I had to pick one out, it would be Ronaldo.”
“He is a player I would pay to watch.”
“He and I are very different players but he is unbelievable, very special, and it will not be easy to stop him.”
Lionel Messi warned Barcelona about three Man United players apart from Ronaldo
But Messi was fully aware that Ronaldo was not the only player who could spoil the party for Barcelona in the Champions League final as they were one game away from winning their first treble.
The Red Devils’ squad boasted of several match-winners, with Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov and Paul Scholes on the bench.
Messi stressed that Barcelona cannot only focus on Ronaldo at the time, highlighting that Wayne Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov could prove to be very dangerous as well.
“We must not pay all attention to him and forget about Berbatov, Rooney and Carlos Tevez.”
“Manchester United have players all over the pitch who can punish you in the same way we have.”
But on the day, it was Messi and neither one of Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez or Dimitar Berbatov who settled one of the most unforgettable Champions League finals in years. The World Cup winner’s praise towards the Portuguese megastar even before his move to Real Madrid suggests that while they did go on to become rivals, both parties always respected each other’s genius massively.
