Barcelona and Chelsea had epic Champions League showdowns in the mid-2000s, with intense clashes full of controversy It’s no surprise that Lionel Messi once said their rivalry was fiercer than the famous Boca Juniors vs River Plate derby From heated matches to controversial red cards, the bad blood between Barcelona and Chelsea ran deep CHECK OUT: Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with LEGIT. Enroll Now! Lionel Messi once confessed that he and his Barcelona teammates held more animosity toward Chelsea than even their fierce rivals, Real Madrid.
While Chelsea might not seem like a European powerhouse today, during the mid-to-late 2000s, they were a dominant force in the latter stages of the Champions League. Barcelona frequently found themselves facing Chelsea, clashing eight times in just five years. These encounters were often heated and filled with controversy, making them unforgettable.
Read also Erik Ten Hag's Tactics at Fault for United's Struggles After Latest Setback PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! Ahead of a tense last-16 matchup in 2006, a young 18-year-old Messi opened up about how deeply Barcelona disliked their West London rivals. "There are players here who hated Chelsea more than Real Madrid," Messi admitted to the News of the World via Sportskeeda. "I never thought I’d say that.
I also never imagined witnessing a rivalry more intense than Boca vs..