Barcelona icon Lionel Messi believes he got lucky with his sensational free-kick against Liverpool in last season's Champions League.
Messi notched his second and Barcelona's third during the semi-final first-leg encounter at the Nou Camp with a stunning 30-yard strike, but the Argentina forward has admitted there was an element of fortune to it.
Michael Owen discusses his move to Real Madrid from LiverpoolHe told UEFA: "I tried to strike it like I try to strike every free-kick. It was a bit further out than usual, I hit it with a lot of power; sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I had luck on my side that time and it went in."
Messi is perhaps doing a disservice to himself, especially considering the fact that the stunning strike was voted UEFA's Champions League goal of the season.
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The 32-year-old has scored an incredible 603 goals in 687 appearances for Barcelona, but is yet to feature for the Catalan giants this campaign owing to a calf injury which he has now finally recovered from.
Speaking ahead of Barca's Champions League opener in Borussia Dortmund, Messi says his side's group is an 'interesting challenge'.
"Every year, the Champions [League] is evenly balanced; sometimes it's harder to win," he added.
"We have got Dortmund, whom we've never played [since I have been here]. I remember seeing their stadium on TV and I've always liked it because of the fans and what the club itself represents.
"We also have got Inter. We faced them last year too on their ground, but I couldn't play because I was injured. It's a difficult group but it's an interesting challenge."
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Messi may have had luck on his side when scoring his free-kick against the Reds, but it's fair to say all the good fortune was with Liverpool during the semi-final second leg at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp's side secured a remarkable 4-0 win to overturn their 3-0 aggregate deficit and book their place in the Champions League final in the most incredible circumstances.
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