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Former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has expressed that Real Madrid wasn’t the best team in the UEFA Champions League despite winning the tournament by defeating Liverpool 1-0 in the final. The Los Blancos defeated Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 in the round of 16, where Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick in the second leg of their fixture.
While talking to the TyC Sports, Messi said, "The Real Madrid game killed us. The best team doesn't always win," said Messi. "Without taking anything away from Madrid, because they are the champions of Europe and they're always there or thereabouts, but they weren't the best team in this Champions League.
“The Champions League is about situations, key moments, psychological moments that take a team, where the slightest error can eliminate you and then those who are best prepared for those situations end up winning or reaching the final.”
“The adaptation wasn't easy”
In the interview, He then addressed his move to the French League and talked about the shift has been difficult especially at his age after playing in Spain for most of his career. “It was a summer of complete happiness and one where I thought everything would stay the same at Barcelona and in my life and then what happened happened and it was tough,” said Messi.
“It was a tough change, a difficult year. The adaptation wasn't easy. After a lifetime in the same place, it's not easy at my age. It's one thing to do it when you're younger and you want to, but at the time I didn't want to and I didn't imagine or expect it.”
“I think there's no doubt this year"
Messi also praised Real Madrid and France forward Karim Benzema for his incredible season and touted him to win the Ballon D’or award. He said, “I think there are no doubts, it's clear Benzema had a great year, topping it off with the Champions League, where he was key from the round of 16 onwards in all the games. I think there's no doubt this year," said Messi.
The Argentine, in the interview, expressed his excitement about representing his country in the upcoming CONEMBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions. “It's an official competition, approved by FIFA, another trophy for us and we want to win it, for ourselves, for the group, for the people of Argentina,” said Messi.