'I apologised after kicking Lionel Messi – Jose Mourinho's tactics said it all about him'

Stopping Lionel Messi successful his Barcelona pomp was nary mean feat, arsenic Real Madrid winger and erstwhile Argentina team-mate Angel Di Maria realised portion playing for Jose Mourinho successful a 2011 cupful final

Lionel Messi’s erstwhile Argentina team-mate Angel Di Maria apologised to the superstar for roughing him up successful a cupful last portion playing for Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.

The 2011 Copa Del Rey last saw Di Maria and Mourinho’s Los Blancos clash with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona astatine the Mestalla – with the second looking unstoppable astatine the time.

La Blaugrana had won 3 consecutive La Liga titles, with Real playing 2nd fiddle connected each occasion. The pursuing month, they had a Champions League last to contention astatine Wembley against Manchester United, which they would spell connected to win, having besides held the crown successful 2009.

So however would Mourinho and Di Maria spell astir thwarting their bitter rivals, led by the omnipotent Messi? Ultimately, it meant hacking down the genius Argentinian – thing compatriot Di Maria profusely apologised for, but it proved highly effective.

"The lone mode to bushed that Barcelona was by hitting, putting successful much effort and moving much than them," Di Maria, who retired from planetary shot this year, told Clank Media.

"And that someway led to them getting into fights connected the field. At times I was acrophobic they would injure 'Enano' (Messi), I was much disquieted astir him than thing else."

Mourinho, possibly knowing helium could not outclass Guardiola and Messi connected the pitch, enlisted his men to hack the prima down connected each imaginable occasion. He often enactment 2 men connected each of their different notable players, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and David Villa, too.

"The lucifer astatine Mestalla was precise tough; that last was footwear aft kick. At 1 constituent I had to footwear Leo due to the fact that helium was getting distant from america connected a counterattack," Di Maria continued. "I lifted him up and said 'sorry Enano (Messi), but if I didn't halt you, they could people connected us.' I had nary different option. It was playing that way; it was intolerable to stop."

This mindset was precise telling astir however opponents viewed Messi astatine the time. The lone mode to halt him from putting you to the sword was to foul. Surprisingly, successful this instance, specified tactics worked.

The 55,000-strong assemblage witnessed a brutal showdown, with 8 yellowish cards issued successful all. The lucifer went to other time, with Di Maria sent disconnected successful the 120th infinitesimal for a 2nd bookable offence and Cristiano Ronaldo heading location a 103rd-minute victor to snatch the trophy.

However, this did not spot immoderate emotion mislaid betwixt the 2 Argentinian wingers, and contempt enjoying occurrence alongside Ronaldo, Di Maria credited his countryman Messi – present of Inter Miami – with being football’s greatest.

"For me, Messi and Cristiano are the 2 champion players successful history," Di Maria concluded. "But, it is evident that Leo has nary examination to immoderate different player."

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