Tottenham Hotspur coach Mauricio Pochettino believes that Lionel Messi's presence makes the difference for Barcelona in the Champions League.
The Argentine coach identified the Blaugrana as the front-runners to clinch the trophy, with his compatriot giving them the upper hand.
"There are no favourites if we see what happened in the quarter-finals, but personally I believe that the favourites are the team that have Lionel Messi and that's Barcelona," he told Goal.
"If Messi wasn't there each semi-finalist would have 25 percent chance.
"Messi is the best in the world and his motivation is to fight for the Champions League," said the Spurs boss.
"He has been the best for years and he will remain so until he wants.
"Of course we want to win it and we will be dissatisfied if we don't but, if we see the reality, I am more than satisfied."
vipulyadav
294
everyone is talking about messi in the semifinals because they know there is only one king . van dijk talks about messi. pochettino talks about messi. klopp talks about messi . mourinho talks about messi . And for ronaldo only serieA talks 🤣🤣
chosen103
246
Truth sometimes is hard to say especially when you are still running for the same trophy... pochettino you have my respect
JamiuharkanniJ-fresh
182
And if there was no Ronaldo ? each team would have at least 10 percent of winning UCL
Khan1999
179
If there was no messi we would have won 5 champions league titles
huaknuy
164
if there was no Messi,there would be no football today
Khalifybinney
82
Messi hasn't said anything about this match because his talking is in the mind and in the pitch he will pour his talking on the pitch #Camp nuo mafia and also will show his greatness at Anfield All his mind is on the champions league trophy... He promise and God will help him fulfill his promise
Fizmo_a47
68
pochettino also knows the messi effect [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Desmondeyum
64
Thus right on point without Messi ,every single club can get their hands on the title, this is a competition were human are fighting for a trophy but we have a team with an alien, so the team with that alien has upper hand, Let me make this point the winner of Barcelona Vs Liverpool takes the trophy,
bahaclnprt
61
true ... but as a manager still in the running ... he just killed 25% of his own player's courage ... you said it out loud... wrong move ...
shray_srivastava
59
Everyone says that, but why is Barcelona team without Messi under valued? I see, Barca team with a very good defence, probably the best midfield considering the other 3 teams & a deadly trio when you consider Messi is leading that line. Pundits say Liverpool will win it, but in Champions league, being favourites is a curse, Man City have not being benefitting from it, every year, pundits say Man City will win the CL, but honestly, CL is just more than a Premier League game, u watched Porto/Liverpool, in that away game for the first 25 mins Liverpool we're so bad that any other top team would have scored 2-3 past them, under estimate Barca at your own will.
kiddozzy
59
de great Leo for say u no dey play football united for done win 5champions league
JustGoWithIt
57
The Hate You Give
hendeilmop
52
They were saying we will win Madrid, but after the game but everyone wanted to kill Ramos from Liverpool. It will be the same thing only that this time around Liverpool fans will be applauding messi! let's wait u can't compare English teams to Spanish ones in uefa. Liverpool maybe can win Eibar
doyblsuy
50
I hope you understand
saodeikru
46
Liverpool will be an uphill task for Messi and Barcelona anytime. But Barcelona is not scared of this determined and confident Hungry Lions called Liverpool. We hold this, together we will defeat Liverpool "Whatever it takes"
Mibailnos
42
If I was a Tottenham player I would call for Pochetinno's SACKING immediately. They're in semifinals of UCL and this is how he speaks. Great managers like Fergie, Mourinho or Guardiola have never demotivated their players like this. It's clear to me now, that's why Poch has never won any trophy.
bizou650
40
Managers are confused especially spurs manager he is off the semi already...in a game of football everything is possible and is always 50/50.No matter how Good your opponent is u gonna stand tall no matter what in life faith pays.
TheChosenGamer
8
Did u remembered when cr7 made pique roll on the floor like a kid??[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
I ain’t even a barca supporter and I know for a fact Messi is the greatest player in history... stats talk kid... better goal scoring ratio with less than 150 games than Ronaldo, wayyy better key passing and passing in general, greatest freekick conversion rate, greatest vision, lethal both inside and outside the box, the only thing Ronaldo might be better at is heading the ball. His physique is useless because he never utilizes his strength by diving even when someone touches him. Messi on the other hand stands up even when there is a rough tackle and keeps on going forward until the foul is called...