Messi reveals Premier League club Barcelona players hated even more than Real Madrid

Lionel Messi once admitted that Barcelona players “hate” one Premier League club more than bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Messi made the comments in an interview with the News of the World in 2005. It was a time of heightened tension between Barcelona and Chelsea, following a dramatic Champions League last-16 tie at Stamford Bridge in which the Blues staged a memorable comeback.

José Mourinho sparked controversy with his comments about referee Anders Frisk following the controversial dismissal of Didier Drogba in the first leg.

The two-legged tie left the Barcelona players feeling aggrieved and, as they prepared for a return leg against Chelsea in 2006, a young Messi did not mince his words.

“There are [Barcelona] players here who are more hostile to Chelsea than to Real Madrid,” he declared. “I never expected to say these words. I never expected to encounter a rivalry more intense than that between Boca and River Plate, or Brazil and Argentina, but here we are”.

Messi concluded: “We would rather face Arsenal, Manchester United or any other team than be on the pitch with Chelsea.