Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling is looking forward to coming face-to-face with Barcelona star Lionel Messi on Wednesday night in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
Nullifying the Argentine's threat at Old Trafford will be essential in United going to the Camp Nou with a chance of advancing.
"[Stopping Messi] is a challenge to relish," said Smalling.
"This season I have been lucky enough to face [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Kylian] Mbappe. They are challenges I relish and players at this club relish, and I say bring it on."
When asked about what the Champions League means to him, Smalling insisted that United need to enjoy the moment in big games like this.
"You work so hard to get into those Champions League places, like last season, and we're working now to get third this season," he stated.
"These are the times we look forward to. We, as players, all want to be on that field and show what we can do."
The first leg will kick off at 21:00 CET on Wednesday at Old Trafford.
FieldMarshall
80
With this Lineup and Formation... at first half Manchester united FC will be 2-0 up...and OGS should tell Smalling no More own goals but just Sweep everything that Messi brings on back to their own yard... Victor should just put Suarez inside the bottle, let him stay there 90 + plus min GGMU
Jaseino
78
Smalling and Jones working on how to stop Barcelona and then boom 😂😂
Macbrideetoinyuei199
71
Stopping Messi is like leaving plannet earth
messi2345
53
smalling i have an idea to stop messi.
Feobelnr
49
nonsense..may be you should go n ask Athletico defense before you open you mouth meanwhile you couldn't stand wolves attackers n you there bragging..just wait after 90 minutes you will surely admit n confess that his truly from another planet
wiaadep
45
yh,stop him