Pernía: "I got home and my wife asked: What's Messi done to you?"

There are some moments in a player's career that they'd rather forget. Leo Messi has caused many defenders to suffer sleepless nights - including former Atlético de Madrid player Mariano Pernía. Pernía, who hung up his boots in 2011, recalled being run ragged by Messi at the Calderón and still being in a state of shock when asked by his wife what had happened.

“Yes, I faced Messi - unfortunately… The worst of all was that, we were losing 3-1 and he received the ball near the halfway line. And he just stopped, completely stopped, with the ball at his feet. I was about seven or eight yards away and thought to myself: ‘Ah his bottle’s gone!’ So, I approached him… I don’t know what he did next… Anyway, after the game, when I got back home, my wife asked me: ‘What did he do to you?’ and I said: ‘How do I know!? I’ve no idea! What did you see on the TV?’. Everyone says Messi always cuts inside when he starts his runs, so I went to block him and in the blink of an eye, he darted past me on the other side. I don’t know how he did it, I’ve no idea. It was like he pulled off all of these trick moves all in one. He went past me, then two others and I don’t know how but he struck the bar – thankfully!”