Lionel Messi dropped yet another jaw-dropping performance to ensure that Barcelona finished on top of Group B after edging past PSV Eindhoven 2-1 in the Champions League.
The Argentine squeezed the ball home in a crowded box for his first and then later set up Gerard Pique for Barca’s second from a free-kick.
There were discussions whether the free-kick routine was rehearsed beforehand but the 31-year-old was quick to dismiss these claims.
“It is a lie that it was rehearsed,” a talkative Messi told Movistar Liga de Campeones.
“The shot went badly and [Pique] was passing through.”
With his 106th goal in the Champions League, Messi became the top goalscorer for a single club in the competition and was pleased to be the bearer of such a record.
“I am very happy with that statistic,” said Messi. “I’m also happy with the result that we achieved.”
Barcelona next host Tottenham on December 11 in their final group match. The result won’t make any difference to Barca’s campaign but Spurs need a win to qualify.
