Messi hoping to 'enjoy' Champions League final

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posted on 15 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Messi believes that the final is not just about himself and Cristiano Ronaldo.

New Delhi: Lionel Messi wants to "enjoy" the Champions League final against Manchester United this Wednesday and believes it will be an "open" game.

The Argentine has already won the competition with Barcelona three years ago but on that occasion he recalls that he didn't feel a "part of the final".

This Wednesday he is expected to be a key player in Rome though and, speaking to uefa.com, he says he wants to make the most of the occasion.

"I know now that I need to enjoy this final much more than before, because I think there are many players who don't have the opportunity to win the Champions League," he explained.

"That's what makes it special, but it's also true that if you want to win it, you have to play and perform during the whole Champions League season. I believe it's a beautiful opportunity to be able to play every game, just as it is throughout the year, but it would be even more special if we could win the final, with me playing in it."

Indeed, after getting knocked out by Manchester United at the semi-final stage last year, Barcelona will be keen to avenge that defeat and lift the trophy this year.

Messi expects the encounter to be much different than the two-legged affair contested last year and says it will be a more open match.

"Last year they waited for us to come out and play then went on the counterattack. But I think a final has a distinct flavour and they will perform strongly, as they have done all this year and last because they have quality players. I believe it will be an open match and hopefully more open than the (semi-final) against Chelsea," he mused.

Along with Messi, all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United, but the Argentine does not believe the match is just about two players.

"Anyone who likes football admires a player like him," he explained.

"But I think it's about two great teams and it won't just depend on one player. It's not about Cristiano playing better than me or me playing better than him. We both want to be the champions, each one with his own team, and lift the cup," he added.