‘I read that other players lost and Barca wins because of Messi… it is a tremendous injustice’: Ex-Brazil striker Ronaldo insists Argentine star must take some blame for Liverpool loss
Former Brazil frontman Ronaldo believes that Lionel Messi must share some of the blame for Barcelona’s humiliating Champions League exit to Liverpool.
Messi was left powerless as Barcelona crashed to a 4-0 defeat at Anfield on Tuesday night, surrendering their three-goal advantage from the first leg.
It means that Liverpool will take on Tottenham Hotspur in an all-English final at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid on June 1.
Lionel Messi was powerless as Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League to Liverpool
Former Barcelona and Brazil striker believes the Argentinean must shoulder some of the blame
And Ronaldo insists Barca’s No 10 must take some of the responsibility as part of the team that failed to hold on to their lead.
‘It is unfair to point the culprits to a defeat,’ Ronaldo said at a Santander event. ‘I see that Barcelona has a great team and has the best player in the world, which is Messi.
‘The other day I read that other players lost and Barca wins [because of] Messi. It is a tremendous injustice to all the players and the coaching staff.
‘Barcelona is a great team with great players and very good coaches. You should be a little more careful with criticism.’
While keen to comment on Barcelona, former Real Madrid and Inter star Ronaldo was at pains to praise the ’emotional intelligence’ of Liverpool’s stunning performance.
Messi cuts a dejected figure as Barcelona’s Champions League dreams were ended
The Argentine is pictured against a backdrop of jubilant Liverpool supporters at Anfield
‘[Liverpool] had more motivation, intensity and desire,’ added the former Brazilian forward. ‘In the first part, Barcelona had chances to score a goal that would have changed everything.
‘But Liverpool deserved it. They have shown strength and emotional intelligence.
‘In the fourth goal there was a mistake, but I think that if it had not [been scored], it would have arrived in a different way. They played the game of their lives.
‘It’s a shame for Barcelona, because they played a great game in the first leg, we all enjoyed Messi.
‘It’s a pity that there is not a Spaniard in the final, but Liverpool deserved it more.’
