John Terry names the two toughest opponents of his career at the Champions League draw

Former Chelsea captain John Terry named his two toughest opponents during the Champions League draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

The 43-year-old, who made 717 appearances for Chelsea across a trophy-laden 19-year spell at Stamford Bridge, helped conduct the Champions League last-16 draw on Monday morning.

As well as backing Real Madrid to win this season's competition, the former England international reminisced about facing Barcelona.

In fact, when asked what moment stood out from his Champions League career, Terry said: "For me personally, playing against Barcelona in 2004-05.

"In my generation, I feel that Barcelona was the best team that I ever faced and had some of the best players in the world. "So playing against those players and testing yourself, which was very difficult at times, were great memories. On that occasion we managed to win so it leaves great memories."

John Terry has previously admitted that being sent off against Barcelona in the 2012 Champions League semi-final was the biggest regret of his Chelsea career.

And when the former Blues captain was asked about his toughest opponents at Monday's event in Switzerland, he name-dropped two former Barca players.

"Two of the guys in that team were Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho," he smiled. "Messi was on my side on the pitch unfortunately for me.

"At the end of your career, when you look back on those moments – you’re very proud. I didn’t come out on top very often but when you do it’s very pleasing. It was a privilege to play alongside those guys."

Image credit: Getty

Terry has previously named former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry as his toughest Premier League opponent.

"He (Henry) was the best by far and he had everything," he told Sky Sports in 2017. "His movement, he was like a silent assassin, wasn't he, because he score with his head, go short, go in behind, right foot, left foot.

"He was incredible. Literally, the night before games, he would be the one player in my career that I thought, 'Pfft, [it is] gonna be a tough day tomorrow'. And you'd wake up... and no one had that effect me at all but him."

Topics: Chelsea, John Terry, Premier League, Champions League, Barcelona, Lionel Messi

Jack Kenmare

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