Lionel Messi revealed there's one game in his glittering career he 'deeply regrets missing'
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has opened up on the game he regrets missing most.
Former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has previously explained why he "deeply regrets" missing a game against Arsenal in the Champions League.
Over the course of his record-breaking career, Messi has taken part in some of the most memorable games in football history.
In fact, no player in history has won more trophies than Messi, with the Argentine having claimed 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, two Ligue 1 crowns, a Copa America and a World Cup to name but a few.
However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner admitted he deeply regrets missing the final of Barcelona’s 2006 Champions League triumph against Arsenal in Paris,
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While the Catalan giants came back from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1, Messi, who was 18 years old at the time, missed out on the game due to a hamstring injury.
The then-teenager was so upset to miss the final that he refused to attend celebrations.
Speaking to Spanish publication AS back in 2021, he said: “I'm sorry I didn't [go out]. I didn't realise what was happening. At least I would have liked to be on the bench that night.
"Until my injury, [against Chelsea in the round of 16], I participated in every Champions League game in my career.
“I was disappointed. I deeply regret that episode. We won that Champions League and I was not sure what would happen again because it is a difficult competition to win.”
Of course, Messi went on to feature in three further UCL finals, netting in both Barcelona’s 2009 and 2011 triumphs.
Unsurprisingly, he counted that looping header against Manchester United in 2009 among the favourite goals of his career.
Speaking to FourFourTwo in 2017, Messi said: "It was hard to imagine that I'd have a chance to score a header with a defender like [Rio] Ferdinand near me, but I saw that I didn't have anyone marking me and the ball settled down so I could make the shot.
"When the ball Xavi put in was in the box, I could already see myself scoring and thank God it was possible.
"It was a very important goal in every way: for the team, for the way that final was being played and for me. It's one of my favourite goals.
"After missing the 2006 final through injury, it was very special to play this final and score. It completed a season in which we won everything."
Topics: Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, Arsenal
Jack Kenmare