Messi puts Barcelona first in Champions League final
Published:Lionel Messi may be the favourite to score the opening goal in the Champions League final, but he has stated that his sole interest is that Barcelona beat Manchester United at Wembley and not on his own individual performance.
Messi has already scored 11 goals in this season’s Champions League in Barcelona’s run to the final, which leaves him one shy of Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s record of 12 goals for Manchester United in 2003.
It is 9/2 in the Champions League odds that Messi scores the opening goal against Manchester United, but his main focus is on ensuring Barcelona win the competition for the third time in six seasons.
According to the Sunday Mirror, he said: “Goals are only important if they win you games. If I don’t score and Barcelona win the Champions League it’s unimportant whether I find the net or not.
“My interest is in the collective success of the team, not individual glory.”
Messi did find the target when Barcelona beat Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final, albeit not first as Samuel Eto’o opened the scoring in the 2-0 success.
It is also 9/2 that Messi scores the final goal of the final again, but to do he will have to end an intriguing record.
The Argentine forward has never scored in England, but a Champions League final at Wembley presents the perfect opportunity to end this record.
Barcelona’s odds are 1/1 to beat Manchester United inside the 90 minutes, with Manchester United 11/4 to triumph in the same market.
Meanwhile, it is 4/9 that Barcelona simply lift the Champions League trophy, with Manchester United 13/8 to gain revenge for their 2009 defeat.
A £30 stake on the scorecast of Messi scoring first and Barcelona beating Manchester United 2-1 would return £840. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.
