Barcelona fans have turned their back on Messi for failing to deliver them a Champions League trophy.
Lionel Messi has been left with a bad taste in his mouth following Barcelona’s defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League.
That is the outlook from Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, who also believes that they are already on the road to redemption.
The Catalan club had one foot in the Champions League final after mauling Liverpool 3-0 at the Nou Camp.
On that day, Messi was inspirational netting twice – including an utterly sublime free-kick from about 35 yards out.
But what was not expected was the Reds to come back in the second leg, where they completely overrun Barca at Anfield resulting in a 4-0 win for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Divock Origi and Georgina Wijnaldum both grabbed braces to stun Los Cules and send them packing.
For Messi, it was particularly hard to swallow as he made it his personal mission to win the Champions League.
Barcelona has not won the competition since 2015 and the 31-year-old is desperate to achieve a fifth European medal.
Barca bounced back from their heartbreaking defeat by beating Getafe 2-0 and Valverde reckons the squad is putting their difficulties behind them.