Tevez issues Messi warning

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has warned his team-mates Lionel Messi could wreck their hopes of making the Champions League final.

The two Argentina team-mates will come face to face on Wednesday when United take on Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final clash at the Nou Camp.

Tevez warmed up for the match by scoring the equaliser in United’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn at Ewood Park on Saturday, while Messi was rested by Barcelona for their game with Espanyol.

Tevez, though, is looking forward to playing against his international team-mate at the Nou Camp.

He told Radio Mitre: “I am happy that Messi will play because this is a very important match.

“It is like a final played in advance. Everybody knows Messi is very fast and is always crucial in these type of matches. He can define games in just five or 10 minutes.”

Looking beyond the tie, Tevez also denied he told Argentina coach Alfio Basile not to consider him for the World Cup qualifying match against Brazil on June 18.

The 24-year-old is unable to play against Ecuador four days earlier, as he is suspended, but dismissed speculation he did not want to play through fatigue.

He said: “I want to talk to Basile. They are saying that I withdrew because I was physically tired but people know what I feel for the national shirt.

“If we beat Barcelona, the Champions League final is on May 23. The Brazil match is on June 18, so I will have more than 20 days to recover. It is a derby and everybody knows how we live for these type of matches.”