Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has recounted his awkward attempt to take home Lionel Messi's jersey after a Champions League clash in 2019.
The 24-year-old was typically combative at Old Trafford and, despite the hosts narrowly losing out, asked for the shirt, which he planned to display with pride.
Barcelona talisman Messi, however, was angry after being struck in the face - and initially refused to indulge McTominay after believing the collision was with him.
While speaking to ESPN, Scotland international McTominay revealed his belief that Messi is the best player in the world, '100 per cent'.
'Yeah, Messi, Messi,' he added. 'I got his shirt, you know?
'So, whenever we played against him for Barcelona [in 2019], Chris Smalling elbowed him and he's got blood coming out of his nose. And he thought it was me.
'Because I said to Sergio Romero, "please can you ask Messi to get his shirt?".
'Sergio comes back in and said, "Oh, he thinks you were the one who elbowed him on the halfway line".
'I said, "No, no, no, no - tell him it wasn't me, so make sure I get that shirt because that's going in my bedroom". So he knows it wasn't me now.
'Sorry Chrissy, but he was the one who roughed him up a bit.'
Messi was on the receiving end of a number of heavy challenges with United looking to assert themselves at home during the quarter-final fixture.
The crunching blow McTominay has referenced took place in midfield when Smalling, now at Roma, leaped in the air and accidentally allowed a hand to fly out.
Having been hit, Messi was left with a bloodied face and was forced to undergo treatment from Barcelona's medical staff before continuing.
Thankfully for McTominay, any confusion over the incident was cleared up with Messi's Argentina compatriot, Romero, soothing over any bad blood at full-time.
The miscommunication capped off a poor day for McTominay and United, with Barcelona emerging 1-0 victors following an own goal from Luke Shaw.
ishti
688
Mc Tominay wanted Messi's shirt, meanwhile Messi himself had this shirt
Amgnonijunior
444
Meanwhile Ronaldo throw his Captain band on the floor just to safe someone's life π³π [Crylaugh] McTominay to Messi!! You are so Rude ππππ
The_Striker_LITE
340
Lol, Scott McTominay, don't be proud of yourself telling you left him bloodied. He literally Destroyed your whole club alone π
Mangisha
208
A Man U player (not the first, not the last) going for Messi as the very best around in the football business. McTominay follows the footsteps of the likes of Owen, Rooney, Ferdinand, P Scoles, Giggs...to have sided with Messi. These are professional footballers. These put emotions aside (an emotional Man U man such as Sir Alex would go for CR7) and choose the best they see based on stats not bcos the choice was a former player of the club. So my question is. How does it feel when all these past and present players of your beloved club chooses someone else for the very best while the player who played for u and won u trophies is good for 2nd best only? I mean we can't say all these ex and present Man U fans just hate CR7 for them to go for Messi, can we? My point in this writing is, we shd put aside our emotions and just appreciate someone's greatness even if it's more than the player closest to us.
pekadnptu
15
Lol, Scott McTominay, don't be proud of yourself telling you left him bloodied. He literally Destroyed your whole club alone π
why don't you read the article before commenting for a change
lumaceiotz
12
Lol, Scott McTominay, don't be proud of yourself telling you left him bloodied. He literally Destroyed your whole club alone π
It was Smalling who left Messi bleeding, not Scott.
ELIKEMSAM
10
Lol, Scott McTominay, don't be proud of yourself telling you left him bloodied. He literally Destroyed your whole club alone π
Am surprised a City fan is commenting on a game with Barcelona' Messi. How many times did City beats Messi and Barca... leading to winning the CL.? At least United destroyed Messi' Barca in the semifinals before winning the CL in 2008. What have City done in their entire 100+years when they meet Barca. Yes Barca beats United in two CL finals, we accept that but what about City, have you guys ever played in a CL final..? If not shut up..!