Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of a clash with Osasuna, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez confirmed that he had been in contact with Lionel Messi after the Argentine was defeated in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The PSG star is a former teammate of Xavi’s and the two share a good relationship according to the Catalan. After Real Madrid roared back to defeat the Parisians 3-2 on aggregate, Xavi was quick to send his friend a message.
“I have a friendship with Messi and I sent him some simple encouragement and nothing else. It is part of football, when it seemed like it was going well for PSG, Real Madrid showed up and turned it around.”
“The Champions League is like that. When you lower your intensity, your rival can get past you.”
Lionel Messi is no stranger to suffering historic comebacks, already undergoing similar eliminations against Liverpool, Roma and Juventus in recent seasons with Barcelona.
For his part, Xavi Hernandez represents the last great era of Barcelona in the Champions League, having exited after lifting the trophy in 2015.