'He said he knew it was an accident': Chris Smalling says Lionel Messi was forgiving after Manchester United defender left superstar with a bloody nose in Champions League clash Chris Smalling clattered Lionel Messi during Champions League quarter final Smalling says he caught up with Messi and the Argentine was in forgiving mood The Man United centre back says he was unaware of catching Messi so heavily
By Matthew Smith For Mailonline
Published: 10:26 BST, 13 April 2019 | Updated: 10:26 BST, 13 April 2019
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Lionel Messi 'knew it was an accident' after Chris Smalling left him with a bloody nose and a gash above his eye, according to the Manchester United defender.
Smalling clattered the Barcelona forward during the Champions League quarter final first leg last week, although the centre back says he was unaware of catching Messi so heavily.
The England international says he caught up with Messi afterwards, and said the Argentine was in a forgiving mood over the challenge.
Lionel Messi 'knew it was an accident' after Chris Smalling left him with a bloody nose
