'Chris Smalling smashed him first game... he woke the beast up': Rio Ferdinand says Lionel Messi had a point to prove against Manchester United after being bloodied in first leg
By Robert Summerscales For Mailonline
Published: 23:15 BST, 16 April 2019 | Updated: 23:45 BST, 16 April 2019
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Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Chris Smalling is partly to blame for Lionel Messi's superb two-goal display against Manchester United on Tuesday night.
Messi hit fine form as United were comfortably beaten 3-0 in the Nou Camp with Barcelona cruising into the Champions League semi-finals courtesy of a 4-0 aggregate victory.
Messi had been slightly subdued in the first leg six days earlier when he left Old Trafford with cuts on his face after being clattered by defender Smalling.
Lionel Messi (left) scored twice as Barcelona thrashed Manchester United 3-0 on Tuesday
