When you mention the sport of football, Lionel Messi is one of the first names to spring to mind, along with his arch nemesis, Cristiano Ronaldo.The diminutive Argentine has pretty much rewritten the record books during his illustrious career, claiming every trophy there is to offer at club level.The only ones that allude him those available on the international circuit, but he'll have a chance to fix that this summer in Russia.Two of Messi's finest ever performances for Barcelona came in two crucial games; the Champions League finals of 2009 and 2011.In both matches, the Blaugrana took on Sir Alex Ferguson's star-studded Manchester United squad and on both occasions, he was simply too good.He, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta destroyed the Red Devils at will and Rio Ferdinand has revealed just how dumbfounded both he and Nemanja Vidic were trying to stop him.

FERDINAND & VIDIC'S REACTION TO MAGICAL MESSI

During his Wembley performance in 2011, Ferdinand reveals that "he doesn't even come near you" and that he and Vidic just stood on the halfway line, looked at each other and shook their heads at the brilliance going on.

He goes on to mention that when he did get near Messi, his small stature meant that when he tried to be physical, he simply slipped underneath him.

Ferdinand states that he believes the Argentine to be the best player he ever faced and at the end of the clip, he makes a rather stunning point.

FERDINAND'S VIEW ON BARCA WITHOUT MESSI

"I felt, we all felt, that if we played against a Barcelona team without Messi, we probably would have won."

Well, that's up for debate Rio.

The likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro Rodriguez, David Villa and Samuel Eto'o were all weaving their magic during the two finals and would still have proven an enormous obstacle to overcome.

BARCA V MAN UTD THIS YEAR WOULD BE VERY EVEN

If the two European heavyweights were to meet in this years Champions League, it would likely be a much more even affair.

Messi may still be at his best but Barca as a team are not what they were.

United look their strongest for some time under Jose Mourinho and it would certainly make for an entertaining clash.