Danny Drinkwater Reveals What He'll Say To Lionel Messi When They Meet

Chelsea will go up against La Liga leaders Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16 later this month and Danny Drinkwater has already decided what he's going to ask Lionel Messi.

Drinkwater went up against the five-time Balon d'or winner during pre-season last year, but things will be very different on February 20 when the sides go head to head in European competition.

Drinkwater

Speaking in an interview with The Mirror at the adidas Cold Blooded boot pack event, Drinkwater revealed his excitement for the fixture at the famous Camp Nou.

"Yeah, I am, yeah. I don't think I've actually played at the Nou Camp before" he said.

"I played against Barcelona in pre-season a year ago but the Nou Camp will be a new experience for me, so yeah I'm looking forward to it."

The former Leicester midfielder then revealed he'll ask Lionel Messi for his shirt when the two meet.

"I was buzzing the first time I played him so I don't know what I'll be like the second time. I'll have to get his shirt."

"You can't read what he's doing. He's rapid with the ball, and his change in directions are almost non-existent. I've never played against someone like...I've played against people who can change direction quick but he's just on another level."

Chelsea will need to have a plan for the arrival of Messi and last year, Didier Drogba revealed that he couldn't quite believe how good he was when they came up against him in 2012.

"Robbie Di Matteo did what he always did and put up a list of the opposing team's top scorers. Usually, the list would read something along the lines of Rooney - 22 goals; Van Persie - 15 and so on." he said in his autobiography.

"When the Barcelona list went up, sure enough, in third place was Xavi on 14, in equal second place were Alexis Sánchez and Cesc Fàbregas on 15, but we all just laughed when the top scorer came up on the screen - Lionel Messi on ... 63 goals, 14 in the Champions League alone!

"But 63 that season? It was such a ridiculous figure that we looked at each other in disbelief and laughed - what else could we do? I even took a picture of the number because it was so outrageous."

Who will come out victorious when Chelsea face Barcelona later this month?

Let us know in the comments below. We can't wait for the Champions League to be back on our screens. It's been way too long!

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_