Messi keen on historic treble

Messi says he does not see the Champions League final as a chance to get one over Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the European Footballer of the Year award.

Messi said: “I don’t see it like that.

“I think they are two great teams, who in my mind play the best football, and whoever wins the final in Rome will be proclaimed the best team in the world.”

Barcelona lost to United in the semi-finals of last year’s Champions League.

“On a footballing level it’s the toughest memory,” he told Marca. “The truth is that it was a blow for everyone because it meant we would go two years without a trophy.”

“It’s been my best year, without doubt. For the football, the play, for the goals and I hope to crown it with the Champions League,” he added in Sport.

“At the start it (the treble) didn’t concern us much. We always took it step by step. Now we’ve won the league and cup we are going for it and we are going to enjoy this occasion. We want the cup, league and Champions League.”