Wembley : Lionel Messi took the man-of-the-match plaudits yet was quick to hail an "incredible" FC Barcelona display as Josep Guardiola's men claimed a fourth European crown at Wembley.
Forward Lionel Messi hailed an "incredible" performance by FC Barcelona after Josep Guardiola's men lit up Wembley en route to claiming their fourth European crown with victory over Manchester United FC.
For Barcelona it was their third UEFA Champions League in six seasons and it came, fittingly, at the venue where they first scaled continental football's greatest peak in 1992. Messi produced a man-of-the-match display and, as he had done in Rome two years ago, scored his team's decisive second goal nine minutes after the break, restoring the Azulgrana's lead with a long-range strike after Wayne Rooney had cancelled out Pedro Rodríguez's opener.
While the Argentinian international praised his team-mates, Xavi Hernández underlined the key role played by the mesmeric Messi, whose goal was his 12th in this season's competition – equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy's scoring record in the UEFA Champions League era. "He is the number one, he makes the difference – he is just the best player in the world."
A touching postscript to Barcelona's triumph was the sight of Éric Abidal lifting the trophy, the French international, who underwent surgery to remove a liver tumour in March, having been a surprise starter at left-back because of Carles Puyol's fitness problems. Daniel Alves, who like Abidal had missed out on the 2009 final, said his team-mate's involvement was extra cause for celebration.
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