The Argentine led Barcelona to the Champions League semi-finals with a pair of goals against Man Utd on Tuesday
Jesse Lingard said Lionel Messi "brought his A game" as the Barcelona captain's brace eliminated Manchester United in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Messi scored twice in the first half to lead Barca to a comprehensive 3-0 second-leg victory at Camp Nou and through to the semi-finals of the competition.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was kept quiet in Barca's 1-0 win in Manchester last week but he was lethal on Tuesday – a pair of goals in the space of three minutes extinguishing United's hopes.
Philippe Coutinho capped a 4-0 aggregate triumph with a stunning long-range effort on the hour and United attacker Lingard said to BT Sport: "You can't afford to make mistakes in these games.
"We dominated the first 15 or 20 minutes, and it could have been different if we had put our chances away.
"Messi is one of the best players in the world and he brought his A game tonight. All we can do now is move on.
"We were always going to be underdogs, but we had to back ourselves and believe. If the first 15 minutes had gone our way, it would have been a different game.
"Chances in these games are massive and if we take them it's a different game. The Champions League is a big competition and we'll be fighting to get back in."
Barcelona will face either Liverpool or Porto in the semi-final stage of the competition.
Bobraper
344
9 goals in six games against Arsenal ✔️ 6 goals in six games against City ✔️ 4 goals in six games against United ✔️ 3 goals in ten games against Chelsea ✔️ 2 goals in two games against Tottenham ⚽ 8 goals in nine UCL games ⚽ 47 goals for Barcelona this season in all competitions Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the 2019 Balon d'or winner: King Lionel Messi 🐐
dettaboss4l
194
I'm I the only one who realize Man Utd players always say he is one of the best, even Solskjaer had to say Ronaldo when he said the same about Messi lol, Only Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand i've every heard says he is the best directly
Longlife2000
171
Lionel Messi has now scored 24 goals in 32 games against English teams in the Champions League - more than any other player in the history of the competition.
Edgarderek
142
BuT MeSsI cAn'T dO iT iN tHe PrEmIeR lEaGuE" In 32 games against English opposition in the UCL, he has 9 goals, 1 assist(s) vs Arsenal. 6 goals, 2 assist(s) vs Man City. 4 goals, 0 assist(s) vs Man United. 3 goals, 3 assist(s) vs Chelsea. 2 goals, 0 assist(s) vs Spurs. In other words, 30 goal involvements in 32 games against English clubs. More than any other player in the history of the competition. Just enjoy the fact he's one of the world's best ever talents before he's gone 👍
mieaboprtz
89
ronald has scored less and less penalty kick since the introduction of VAR and he is now out of the competition.
Derrickse
86
Now they can go back and fight for the champions' league spot
Football Fan876
80
I'm so thankful that VAR is in the UCL. If that wasn't the case its a possibility the result would have been different in both games. With VAR, it's very hard for the cheaters to cheat. Tonight could have been a night where currupt refereeing could've probably decide the games (like in the past) because of club and player popularity. Thank god no more cheat penalties and offside goals. Since the inclusion of VAR, there have been a drastic decline of goals and pk for certain players.... Its much more difficult now for the rich clubs to buy out any game in order for certain players to be highlighted and hyped. Gone are the days when currupt refereeing are used as a marketing tool for certain players.