Barcelona’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the first round match of semifinal against Bayern Munich at the 2014-2015 UEFA Champions League at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, May 6, 2015.
English football club Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes the top four clubs in the Premier League can win the Champions League if they have Lionel Messi in their ranks.
The coach had seen the Argentine at work as Messi inspired Barcelona to a 3-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg win at home to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
“You have doubts that Manchester City with Messi can win the Champions League? Or Arsenal with Messi can win the Champions League? Or Chelsea with Messi can win the Champions League? Or Manchester United with Messi can win the Champions League? Don’t you think? I think,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by guardian.com on Friday.
Mourinho added any Tom, Dick or Harry – and, in his native Portuguese idiom, Anthony – would manage to reach a Champions League final with the talismanic Argentine forward.
“One thing is a team; another thing is a team with Messi. It is a different story,” he said.
“He played a Champions League final with (Pep) Guardiola. He is normally going to play in this season’s Champions League final with Luis Enrique and if, one day, he plays for Anthony, Anthony will go to a Champions League final with him. When people analyse teams, you have to remember that this boy makes everything different.”
