Andy Robertson says Lionel Messi was his toughest Premier League test

When Lionel Messi curled a spectacular long‑range free‑kick in the 82nd minute at Camp Nou, the Argentine sealed a 3‑0 win for Barcelona and gave Andy Robertson a benchmark of difficulty that still haunts the Scotland captain.

Messi's decisive moments at Camp Nou

In the first leg on 1 May 2019, Liverpool produced fourteen attempts to Barcelona’s eleven, yet Messi’s individual quality shone through. He struck twice in the second half – first after Luis Suárez smashed a cross‑bar, then with the free‑kick that marked his 600th Barcelona goal.

Six days later Liverpool overturned the three‑goal deficit with a 4‑0 victory at Anfield, but Robertson only featured in the first half before an injury forced him off. The English side went on to defeat Tottenham in the final and lift the Champions League trophy.

Robertson's Liverpool legacy

Across nine seasons Robertson amassed 378 appearances, contributed 69 assists and collected eight major trophies, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

His departure in the summer ended a spell that saw him become one of Europe’s most energetic full‑backs, capable of matching elite wingers both physically and offensively.

Speaking on the latest Stick to Football episode, Robertson was asked to name the toughest opponent he ever faced. His answer was straightforward: “Lionel Messi, Champions League Semi Final at Camp Nou.” The interview formed part of CaughtOffside coverage, with a prompt to “Want more CaughtOffside coverage?” following the segment.

Robertson’s choice underscores how a single player’s brilliance can eclipse an entire team’s performance. Even when Liverpool were competitive for long spells, Messi’s decisive moments turned a close contest into a three‑goal margin.

More than a personal anecdote, the remark highlights the calibre of opposition faced during his Premier League career and the lasting impression of that night at Camp Nou.