Lionel Messi penalty: Real Madrid would be branded disrespectful for Barcelona trick, says Roberto Carlos
Barcelona pair Messi and Suarez executed the move famously fluffed by Thierry Henry and Robert Pires in 2005
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Your support makes all the difference.Former Real Madrid full-back Roberto Carlos believes his old club would have been branded disrespectful if they tried the penalty trick pulled off by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
The Barcelona pair perfectly executed the move famously fluffed by Arsenal duo Thierry Henry and Robert Pires in 2005 during the 6-1 victory against Celta Vigo on Sunday evening.
Suarez’s goal has since sparked intense debate across the football community with some labelling it as a lack of respect for their opponents while others have lauded the audacity.
“If we did that Messi penalty at the Bernabeu, it’s a lack of respect,” Carlos is quoted as saying. The 42-year-old won four La Liga titles in Madrid and enjoyed three Champions League successes during his 11 years with the Spanish giants.
But Carlos, who made 584 appearances for Los Blancos, says there is an unfair difference between the way his former employers and rivals Barca are discussed in the media.
“They only talk about three players at Barca. In Madrid they talk about a collective of players. We can be calm about Neymar, he is happy where he is and we have very good players.”
Meanwhile, Danny Mills, who was playing for Manchester City when Henry and Pires attempted the feat against his side ten years ago, has praised Barcelona for their tenacity against Celta.
“There are times in football when you simply have to hold your hands up and admit you have been beaten by someone better than you,” Mills told the Times.
“That is why Celta Vigo's players did not respond to Suarez and Messi with the anger I felt with Pires and Henry.
“They could see it for what it was and they had no choice but to admire it. Your frustration is with yourself for conceding.”
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