I hope Messi is fit for return leg, insists Beckham

Posted Tuesday, April 09, 2013 by Goal.com

The former LA Galaxy midfielder was pleased with his side's performance and feels the Parisians can qualify for the semi-finals despite conceding two away goals

David Beckham insists he hopes Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi recovers from injury in time to face Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Messi scored the opening goal of the match at the Stade de France, but was withdrawn at the interval complaining of a hamstring problem, and will be assessed over the coming days.

Beckham and his team-mates would be forgiven for hoping the phenomenal Argentine remains on the treatment table for the return leg, but the former England captain is adamant this is not the case.

"I hope he [Messi] is not injured, I hope he's fit for any game coming up, we wish him well," he told ITV.

"I was obviously very happy to start. The manager's always shown a lot of confidence in me, especially in big moments, tonight was a big moment for the club and I was happy to start."

PSG rallied after half-time and Zlatan Ibrahimovic cancelled out Messi's opener on 79 minutes, before both sides traded late strikes through Xavi - from the penalty spot - and Blaise Matuidi.

The result leaves everything to play for at Camp Nou next Wednesday, and Beckham, a surprise starter in the match, believes his side were well worth a draw.

"I think the draw was deserved," he added. "Obviously it was always going to be a game where they had a lot of possession, they have an amazing team and they played very well.

"In the first half, especially in the first 10 minutes, we had a few very good chances, if we'd have put one of those away then things might have been different but then they got their goal. Then it was a real battle.

"It's better than it was at 2-1. It's going to be difficult, but there's no reason we can't go there and get a result."