Last year Leo Messi missed out on the opportunity to play in the match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as he was rarely in Barça's first team plans. But times have changed for the FC Barcelona youngster and Argentine star, so much so that not only will he be travelling to London but all Barca fans hope he will even play a decisive part in this important "Match of the Year".


The 18-year-old's fledgeling career has changed dramatically in the past 12 months. It was on February 23rd, 2005 when Frank Rijkaard named his team to play Chelsea FC in Nou Camp and Lionel Messi was just a regular in Barça's B team. Messi watched both games on television in his home in Barcelona, but Barcelona were eliminated when they lost 4-2 in London at Stamford Bridge. This time he is desperate to play:

I hope to appear in this exciting match," he said. "It must be great to play in a game with such intensity. The game against Chelsea will be very hard," young Leo Messi explained. "I expect the tie to be very tough but with two matches to proceed to the next stage we do not need to go mad about things now. There is no talk of revenge within the squad, although everyone really wants to win.

The young Argentine international did not discuss poor quality of the pitchnor was he interested in discussing Chelsea´s coach Jose Mourinho. He merely commented on Chelsea's playing style: "They try to play direct and perhaps it is not always pretty, but it is very effective."