the Mirror.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cIf I don\u2019t score and Barcelona win the Champions League it\u2019s unimportant whether I find the net or not.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy interest is in the collective success of the team, not individual glory. I\u2019ve not given any great deal of thought about not scoring in England.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I\u2019m not driven by the desire to score more goals in a Champions League campaign than any other player.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s meant to happen, it will happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
The showdown at Wembley will re-enact the Champions League final in Rome where Barcelona crushed United\u2019s hopes of bringing back the Cup to Old Trafford following a 2-0.<\/p>\n
Messi is confident that Sir Alex Ferguson\u2019s side will pose a constant threat and has warned his teammates to take nothing for granted as United will be spurred on by the Wembley crowd.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not complacent, they present a very serious threat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t meet with the consistent success they have by chance. I have the greatest respect for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a unique and exceptional coach in Ferguson. To stay at one club so long and secure so many trophies is remarkable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have players in their side who are a big threat and thrive under pressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also feel they will have the added advantage of playing in England.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not Old Trafford but Wembley will be as near to a home game as you can get.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old also believes that the Catalans’ opponents will play in much the same manner as Arsenal who were easily dispatched by Messi & Co in the last 16.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are similar to Arsenal and like to play offensive football,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are unlikely to try and stifle our play so it should be a very entertaining game between two great sides.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a fitting final between two champions of their respective leagues. We have a collective winning mentality and therefore losing isn\u2019t even a consideration.<\/p>\n
\u201cOutside of the World Cup it is perceived to be the biggest competition in the world. Winning the league is important, but this competition makes you great.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou come up against the best teams and players in Europe and therefore winning the
Champions League brings you justifiable accolades.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would never tire of winning it. I love the excitement, the anticipation and the pressure to
perform on the biggest stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\nBarcelona’s Lionel Messi: Winning Champions League final against Manchester United is more important than my goal tally<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Laurie Bonne 22 May 2011 16:05:00 Leo Messi – Barcelona (Getty Images) Related Links Teams Players Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is adamant that winning the coveted Champions League on Saturday against Manchester United matters more than scoring goals on British land. The dazzling forward has netted a staggering 52 goals in all competition this season 11 of which were scored in the Champions League and he could share Ruud van Nistelrooy\u2019s record of 12 goals scored in a single campaign in Europe. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":410060,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-428143","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-local-news"},"yoast_head":"\n
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![\"Leo](\"http:\/\/u.goal.com\/130100\/130168_news.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n