Conte: This type of player is born once in 50 years

Antonio Conte paid tribute to Lionel Messi after the Barcelona striker took his Champions League tally to 100 goals to knock Chelsea out of the Champions League.

Messi scored twice and set up Ousmane Dembele’s goal in Barcelona’s 3-0 last-16 second leg victory at the Nou Camp. But despite the fact the La Liga leaders won 4-1 on aggregate, Conte insisted he was proud of Chelsea’s performance.

Having hit the post twice in the first leg, Chelsea struck the woodwork on two occasions in Spain and Conte was adamant Messi, who he embraced at the final whistle, was the difference between the sides.

“This type of player, there is one born in every 50 years,” he said. “We are talking about one single player with this capacity, with this ability, with these skills. He’s fantastic.

“For sure, we are talking about a player who is able to move the final result for the team for whom he is playing.”

Asked what he said to Messi after the match, Conte added: “I think when you have the opportunity to make a great compliment to Messi, I think it’s right.”

Elsewhere, there were reports of distressed Chelsea fans in Barcelona being hit by Spanish police after they were caught in a crush while on their way to the stadium.

A Chelsea spokesman said: “We are aware of reports of incidents outside the ground. People getting hurt outside the ground. We ask Chelsea supporters to contact us with their experiences so that we can contact the authorities.”

Messi twice put the ball through the legs of Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who said: “I’ve played against him a lot of times and I already conceded goals through my legs from him.

“For a goalkeeper like me, from two metres, it’s my weakest point between my legs. Even if I’m standing in a normal position there’s a lot of space in between.

“It’s annoying but I don’t think I have to hide inside. I have to come out and be a man and show you made a mistake and move on.

“I made some good saves as well, but it’s unlucky to go out to four goals where we made four mistakes.”