Audio By Carbonatix
Lionel Messi has claimed he was subjected to more rigorous anti-doping controls than his Barcelona team-mates ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Officers from AETSAD (Spanish Agency for Protection of Health in Sport), who work in conjunction with Uefa, visited Barcelona and conducted tests on five players - Messi, Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, Claudio Bravo and Jordi Alba - prior to Monday morning's training session.
Afterwards Messi took to his Instagram account to reveal he came under particular scrutiny. “Doping control. Of the five chosen, I was the only one who had to give urine and blood samples... bit strange isn’t it?" he wrote.
On Saturday, Messi grabbed another hat-trick - his 21st in La Liga - as Barca thrashed city rovals Espanyol 5-1.
The Argentina forward has scored 13 goals in 14 La Liga appearances this term, while netting an additional seven goals in five Champions League appearances.
On Wednesday, Barca have the chance to secure top spot in Champions League Group F by beating PSG at Camp Nou.
Latest Stories
-
Libya’s army chief killed in air crash in Turkey
3 hours -
US Supreme Court rejects Trump’s bid to deploy National Guard to Chicago
3 hours -
Irish grandmother detained in US freed after husband appeals to Congress
3 hours -
Trump travelled on Epstein’s plane more than previously thought, prosecutor says
3 hours -
Tunisia cruise past Uganda to start AFCON with win
3 hours -
Arsenal beat Palace on penalties for place in EFL Cup semis
3 hours -
Newcastle seek ‘clarification’ over non-penalty
3 hours -
Why Mbappe had £1.3m ethics bonus in PSG contract
4 hours -
American billionaire Martha Stewart joins Snoop and Modric as Swans co-owner
4 hours -
Isak facing two months out after ‘reckless’ tackle – Slot
4 hours -
Real Madrid forward Endrick agrees Lyon loan switch
4 hours -
Some people have left the church because I am a gay woman, says Archbishop
4 hours -
CBS defends pulling 60 Minutes segment about Trump deportations
4 hours -
Man City in advanced talks with Bournemouth’s Semenyo
4 hours -
Jackson claims double as Senegal brush aside Botswana
5 hours
