Liverpool vs Barcelona: Ferdinand praises Messi ahead of clash
That is according to BT Sport pundit and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.
Ferdinand was speaking ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool at the Nou Camp.
Lionel Messi unsurprisingly took his place in the Barca starting XI on the right of a front three that consisted of two former Liverpool stars - Phillipe Coutinho and Luis Suarez.
The Argentine has a fine record against English sides but was yet to score against Liverpool before Wednesday’s match.
It is cruel, he’s got a family man, you can’t do that to people
Rio Ferdinand on Lionel Messi
However, in the previous round he tormented Manchester United with two goals in a 3-0 win.
Messi ran the show and almost contributed to a stunning goal following a solo run past United defender Phil Jones.
After being shown that clip again, Ferdinand said: “Here he twists Phil Jones, unfortunately for him.
“It is cruel, he’s got a family, man, you can’t do that to people.”
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Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi (Image: GETTY/BT SPORT)
Ferdinand has described Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as a magician (Image: BT SPORT)
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Lionel Messi gave Phil Jones a torrid time at the Nou Camp in April (Image: GETTY)
Ferdinand also claimed the Barcelona maestro was head and shoulders clear of the Brazilian Ronaldo and fellow Argentine Diego Maradona based on stats alone.
“The 10th consecutive season - 40 goals,” he added.
“That’s unheard of. The stats he’s putting up is laughable.
“You think back to yesteryear when we talked about Ronaldo, the Brazilian one, I loved him, great player, Maradona, great player.
“If Messi put up numbers that they had in their best seasons we’d go ‘he’s off it this year’.