Football great, Lionel Messi reckons that Real Madrid weren’t the best time in the UEFA Champions League despite winning the title after beating Liverpool 1-0 in the final. Turning up for Paris Saint-German, Messi couldn’t take the team to the final this season as they suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in the round of 16. Notably, Madrid’s forward, Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick in the second leg of the fixture.
While talking to the TyC Sports, Messi said, “The Real Madrid game killed us. The best team doesn’t always win,” said Messi. “Without taking anything away from Madrid, because they are the champions of Europe and they’re always there or thereabouts, but they weren’t the best team in this Champions League.”
“The Champions League is about situations, key moments, psychological moments that take a team, where the slightest error can eliminate you and then those who are best prepared for those situations end up winning or reaching the final.”
Later, in the interview, he also talked about his move to the French league. Apparently, it wasn’t easy for Messi to make the shift at his age. “It was a summer of complete happiness and one where I thought everything would stay the same at Barcelona and in my life and then what happened happened and it was tough,” said Messi.
“It was a tough change, a difficult year. The adaptation wasn’t easy. After a lifetime in the same place, it’s not easy at my age. It’s one thing to do it when you’re younger and you want to, but at the time I didn’t want to and I didn’t imagine or expect it.”
Messi also heaped praise on Karim Benzema for enjoying a successful season with Real Madrid. The PSG forward reckoned that Benzema is the prime contender to win the Ballon D’or award.
“I think there are no doubts, it’s clear Benzema had a great year, topping it off with the Champions League, where he was key from the round of 16 onwards in all the games. I think there’s no doubt this year,” added the 34-year old.