Lionel Messi delighted to reach 100 Champions League goals

Lionel Messi was thrilled by his milestone goal and Barcelona’s progression in the Champions League.

football Updated: Mar 15, 2018 16:19 IST
Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Barcelona’s third goal in a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match against Chelsea at Camp Nou on March 14.
Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Barcelona’s third goal in a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match against Chelsea at Camp Nou on March 14. (REUTERS)

Barcelona star Lionel Messi was delighted to reach the 100-goal landmark in the Champions League after leading his side past Chelsea.

Messi scored a brace and set up Ousmane Dembele as the LaLiga giants beat Chelsea 3-0 in their last-16 second leg, completing a 4-1 aggregate win.

The Argentina star was thrilled to get to the milestone and was pleased his team managed to move into the last eight.

Barcelona's supporters hold a giant banner depicting Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg match vs Chelsea FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 14, 2018. (AFP)

“I’m happy to have reached 100 goals in such a beautiful competition, but the important thing was to move forward in a difficult match against a team with lots of really good players,” Lionel Messi told UEFA.

“We managed to score early and this was important. I’m happy with how it all happened.

“This was a tough match and we were strong as a team. When we scored the third then the tie was practically ours.”

Chelsea's Italian coach Antonio Conte (CL) talks with Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi after the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 14, 2018. (AFP)

CONTE LAUDS MESSI

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte lauded Messi post-match, saying the 30-year-old was the world’s best and made the difference in the tie.

Messi was appreciative of the Italian’s comments, but his focus was on his side progressing.

“I didn’t hear him, but they told me what he said and I thank him for his words,” he said.

“I am happy for how this night has ended and for reaching the quarter-finals, which is what we wanted.”