Poyet ‘honoured’ to lose to Messi

Former Real Betis manager Gus Poyet has said being involved in the same as Lionel Messi was ‘an honour’ for him.

The now Shanghai Shenhua coach was in charge of Los Verdiblancos for their 6-2 humbling on the opening day of the season at Camp Nou and was dismissed in November after a poor run of results which culminated in him losing both the fans and the dressing room of the club.

"I maintain the memory of that game, the first in La Liga this season," the Uruguayan manager told Diario Sport.

"We made them uncomfortable at 1-1… Until [Messi] decided that it was over. He took the ball on the wing – in front of me – and when he started, I understood.

"I don't know how this will sound, but to have had Messi one metre away, to have suffered and enjoyed him so close, it's an honour which no one will take away from me.

"It's one thing [to see him] on television, but this is another thing, the closeness with which I experienced him."

The comments are bound to raise a few eyebrows among fans of the Seville-based club, who voiced their grievances after the Camp Nou defeat.

Tags Gus Poyet Lionel Messi
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