Former Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has launched a scathing verbal attack on Barcelona star Lionel Messi for his role in the Blaugrana's recent failures in the UEFA Champions League.
Prior to the start of the 2018/2019 season, the 32-year-old skipper promised to bring back the coveted European trophy back to Camp Nou. Having last won the title in 2015, the Catalans have seen their rivals Real Madrid increase its tally by winning the competition three times in succession between 2016 and 2018.
Nonetheless, fans of Barca saw their dream cut short in the semi-final against Liverpool. The eventual European champions completed an epic remontada to steal the win despite Messi and co securing a 3-0 win in the first leg at Camp Nou.
With the current Spanish league winners failing to grab their sixth Champions League title as a result, former boss Louis Van Gaal believes Lionel Messi is all to blame for.
"Look at Barca, how many Champions League titles have they won with the person they say is the best player in the world?", Van Gaal stated in an interview with El Pais.
"Look at Neymar at PSG. How many Champions League titles have they won?
"Neymar and Messi are players I like as individuals but they aren't team players.
"Messi must ask himself why it's been so long since he won a Champions League.
"He's the best individual player in the world because his numbers are incredible. I like him a lot!
"But, why hasn't he won a Champions League in five years? Why? As captain, he should ask why his team hasn't won in Europe."
While the collective objective was not attained, Lionel Messi finished the 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League season with 12 goals in 10 appearances.
