James Milner has revealed Lionel Messi called him a ‘donkey’ after the pair came to blows in Liverpool’s first-leg Champions League semi-final match against Barcelona.
Liverpool lost the match at Camp Nou 3-0, with Messi scoring two of their goals, but the Reds staged a minor miracle to overturn the deficit at Anfield to win 4-0 and progress to the final in Madrid.
2
Messi and Milner came to blows repeatedly throughout the semi-final tie
And Milner, 33, has revealed the Argentine was furious after he clattered him onto the touchline.
“He wasn’t happy,” Milner told the Mail. “He was giving me plenty in Spanish going down the tunnel at half-time as well. He was calling me ‘burro’. It translates as donkey but I think it’s also used in Spanish football as a general term for someone who goes around kicking people.
“I asked him if he was all right, but he wasn’t having it. I don’t think he realised I understood his Spanish. He said: “That foul you did, that’s because I nutmegged you”.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
gossip
Transfer news LIVE: Hazard on joining Real Madrid, Sessegnon to leave Fulham
gossip
Chelsea transfer news live: Hazard addresses Blues fans following Real Madrid move
ALLEZ LES BLEUES
France sweep aside South Korea in opening match of 2019 Women's World Cup
PRICELESS POINT
Late Duffy header keeps Ireland unbeaten in Euro 2020 qualifying campaign
DEAL DONE
Real Madrid confirm Eden Hazard signing to end long-running transfer saga
THANK YOU
These Chelsea fans pour their hearts out for 'true legend' Eden Hazard
in the money
Hazard joins Real Madrid and will reportedly double his wages
LET'S GO
Women's World Cup opening ceremony: The best pictures from the party in Paris
ALL SEEMS REAL
Hazard shirts spotted at Real Madrid shop - number he will wear revealed
Protest
Why Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg is not playing for Norway at the World Cup
gossip
Tottenham transfer news live: Ryan Sessegnon to leave Fulham, Man United 'want' Dier
I'M FUL
Spurs target Ryan Sessegnon reportedly tells Fulham he wants to leave
“I left him to it at that point and went into the changing room. Look, I’ve only got admiration for him. He has earned the right to say what he wants.”
Milner was ridiculed by fans after being nutmegged by Messi while playing for Manchester City in 2015, but he insisted it did not get the better of him ahead of the match in Barcelona.
“The stuff he did in that game, stuff he has done his whole career, it makes him tough to play against. If you try and stop him, you can’t be scared of being made to look foolish. I’ve done it. I’ve been nutmegged by him and it has been viewed a million times.
2
Milner clattered Messi onto the touchline at Camp Nou
“I wasn’t the first and I won’t be the last. He’s an incredible player.
“But with players like that, you have to let them know you’re there and not let them have everything their own way.
“You just need to try to disrupt their rhythm. You don’t want to hurt him but it’s a physical game and, if he’s running the game, you try and knock him out of his stride. It’s part of the game, the mental side.”
Milner and Liverpool face Tottenham in the Champions League final on June 1 – a match you can follow live on talkSPORT.
Rafa Benitez's one word answer on Liverpool's Champions League chances shows where his focus lies. The Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez was asked about his former side's chances in the
Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva believes the world's two best attacks will meet when his team face Liverpool in the Champions League. The Ligue 1 champions travel to An
25 March 2014 News Archive | Daily Mail Online | Daily Mail
N'Golo Kante: Chelsea star 'a major doubt' for Europa League
Peterborough striker Ivan Toney becomes latest footballer to
Cristiano Ronaldo scored in his 10th international tournament for Portugal with Nations League hat-trick against Switzerland Ronaldo rolled back the years for Portugal 15 years after scoring at
Cristiano Ronaldo to Play for Portugal in Nations League
Gareth Southgate underlines need for education after England
The Blues centre-back has become a leader at Stamford Bridge and strongly defended his under-fire boss amid reports he could soon lose his job David Luiz says that Maurizio Sarri has the backing
Chelsea squad is totally behind Sarri-ball! David Luiz says
Scotland receive boost ahead of England showdown as Scott Brown and Robert Snodgrass are passed fit Retired Oakland police captain, 80, to be charged after having sex with the same 19-year-old
Sports News, 5 Feb 2013 | 15 Minute News - Know the News
boost The striker was given the all clear to stop wearing the boot earlier this week and is growing increasingly confident of making it for England's UEFA Nations League exploits in June Harry Kane could reportedly recover from his ankle injury in time to make the Champions League final - should Tottenham advance past Ajax.…
Celtic 0-0 Kilmarnock: Leigh Griffiths and Co left frustrated
Breaking news headlines about Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours linking to 1,000s of websites from around the world United target, star prefers Liverpool Football
NewsNow: Liverpool FC News, LFC Transfer News & Rumours
Canizares tweeted: "Reyes does not deserve a tribute like a hero. But that does not mean that I don't regret what happened and that I pray for their souls." Circular con exceso de velocidad
'Jose Antonio Reyes does not deserve a tribute like a hero
sportslifetale.com/soccer/jose-antonio-reyes-does-not-deserve-a-tribute-like-a-hero-says-ex-spain-great/
Jose Antonio Reyes has been slammed by former Spanish keeper Santiago Canizares who claims the late midfielder 'does not deserve a tribute like a hero'. Former Arsenal man Reyes died just before midday on Saturday when his Mercedes Brabus S550V went off the A-376 motorway near the town of Alcala de Guadaira close to Seville.
Late Jose Antonio Reyes' former teammate says he 'doesn't
Raheem Sterling showcases tremendous strength to send Liverpool star Virgil Van Dijk flying - but Netherlands 2 hours ago It was a 50th England cap to forget for Raheem Sterling on Thursday night in Portugal.
Raheem Sterling showcases tremendous strength to send
Leeds United 1-1 Aston Villa: Sheffield United promoted as Marcelo Bielsa lets visitors equalise in remarkable scenes Sunday, 28 April 2019 Sheffield United have been promoted to the Premier League after Leeds United and Aston Villa played out a quite remarkable 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
Leeds United 1 Aston Villa 1: Bielsa gesture secures Blades
This season could see London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea battle it out in the final 2,500 miles away from the capital in Azerbaijan. The Premier League duo will first have to negotiate their tricky semi-final ties before they can start planning for the final.
Chelsea v Arsenal: Watch Europa League final FREE, TV, date
No comments:
Post a Comment