We never gave up hope, says Messi

BARCELONA winger Lionel Messi yesterday said the Catalan giants never gave up hope of reaching the Champions League final even though Chelsea looked to have ruined their dreams at Stamford Bridge.

While Chelsea’s European campaign ended in anger directed at Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, Barcelona’s players celebrated wildly after Andres Iniesta’s 93rd- minute strike sent them into the final against Manchester United on May 27 in Rome.

Pep Guardiola’s side had played the last 25 minutes of the game with 10 men after Eric Abidal was controversially red-carded by Ovrebo for a professional foul on Nicolas Anelka.