Argentine ace wants to win Champions League to complete Barca's treble
Argentine ace wants to win Champions League to complete Barca's treble
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Ronaldo has finished first and second in the last two seasons, while Messi was runner-up last time out and third in 2007.
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Lionel Messi. |
The duo are again likely to be among the favourites to win this year's award, and tonight's game in Rome will see the two players go head-to-head in a match which could influence who is named European Footballer of the Year.
However, Messi said: "I don't see it like that.
"I think they are two great teams, who in my mind play the best football, and whoever wins the final in Rome will be proclaimed the best team in the world."
Messi, who turns 22 next month, has already had previous dealings with United and Ronaldo after Barca were paired against the English giants in the semi-finals of last year's Champions League.
Then Barca failed to breach United's defence as they lost 1-0 on aggregate, and Messi admits it was one of the lowest points of his career to date.
"On a footballing level it's the toughest memory," he told Marca.
"The truth is that it was a blow for everyone because it meant we would go two years without a trophy."
It is a different story for Barca this season as they have already won the Primera Division and Copa del Rey following a remarkable first campaign in charge for new coach Pep Guardiola.
Shot at history
Now Barca are aiming to become the first Spanish team to win the treble of league, cup and European Cup, which Messi admits would put the icing on what has been his most impressive season since breaking onto the scene five years ago.
"It's been my best year, without doubt. For the football, the play, for the goals and I hope to crown it with the Champions League," he added in Sport.
"At the start it (the treble) didn't concern us much. We took it step by step.
But now that we've won the league and cup we are going for it and we are going to enjoy this occasion. We want the cup, league and Champions League."
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