Liverpool defender Joel Matip reveals how Lionel Messi was depressed after Anfield loss

‘There was a guy sitting there pretty depressed – Lionel Messi’: Liverpool defender Joel Matip reveals how broken Barcelona superstar struggled to deal with Champions League defeat

  • Joel Matip has revealed how ‘depressed’ Lionel Messi dealt with defeat at Anfield
  • Barcelona held a 3-0 lead but were overpowered and conceded four to the Reds 
  • Following the match Matip and Messi shared silence during a UEFA drugs test 
  • Liverpool went on to win the final and lift their sixth European trophy  

Liverpool defender Joel Matip has revealed how he unintentionally ended up spending time with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi at his lowest ebb.

Messi was left heartbroken last season after the Reds defied the odds and pulled off a 4-0 victory over Barca to shock the football world and book their place in the Champions League final.

Yet while the Liverpool players celebrated into the night with their faithful supporters, Matip’s party was cut short due to a random UEFA drugs test. Still euphoric, the Cameroon international was quickly bundled into a room with Messi to under-take a drugs test. 

Joel Matip experienced the heartbreak of Lionel Messi up close and personal at Anfield

The  superstar was a driving force in the tie but the Spaniards crumbled away from home

The  superstar was a driving force in the tie but the Spaniards crumbled away from home

Speaking in a recent interview, Matip has outlined how the scenes unfolded in the moments following the full time whistle. 

‘After the game, we lined up arm-in-arm in front of the Kop together and sang ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ with the fans,’ Matip told 11Freunde.

‘That was one of the most beautiful moments of my career, maybe on the same level as my debut for Schalke in Munich.

‘I didn’t care about anything; I was floating on air after singing with the fans.’

Messi was left dejected and could not believe what was unfolding before his eyes

Messi was left dejected and could not believe what was unfolding before his eyes 

Matip went on to add: ‘And when I came into the doping test room, there was a guy sitting there pretty depressed – Lionel Messi.

‘You know each other from the pitch, but it’s not like you sit around with them every day in a small room like you’re getting coffee.

‘Everyone is celebrating, and I’m sitting in a cubicle with Messi.’ 

Living legend Messi was seen leaving Anfield in tears on the evening, and has since referred to the night as one of the most painful low points of his career.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk