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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matt Maltby

Rio Ferdinand pinpoints Barcelona's Lionel Messi mistake as Bayern Munich run riot

Rio Ferdinand has slammed the Barcelona board for mistakes in the transfer market since Neymar left the club - and believes the club are too reliant on Lionel Messi.

Brazilian superstar Neymar left for Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record £198million move in 2017 but, despite spending big, the club have seemingly struggled to replace him.

Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho were signed in separate deals which cost the club over £100m, but face uncertain futures at the Nou Camp after difficult spells.

And another big-money signing, Antoine Griezmann, is yet to reach the heights expected of him after signing for £108m from Atletico Madrid last summer.

Lionel Messi looks dejected during the Bayern Munich encounter (REUTERS)

Ferdinand, who was speaking before Barca's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in which they fell 4-1 down, has highlighted transfer mistakes as the fact they have struggled this season.

And the former Manchester United defender also reckons their failure to deliver in the market has piled the pressure on Argentine star Messi.

"They've spent, what is it, £800m since Neymar left and still they're reliant on Messi, who came through the youth system there and the older players in the team who were there before that was spent as well," Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

"They've not recruited in terms of spending that money wisely I don't think going forward.

"But listen, when you've got Messi in your team you can make a few mistakes because invariably he's got them out of trouble."

Who should Barcelona sign next? Have your say below.

Rio Ferdinand has slammed the Barcelona board for mistakes in the transfer market (BT Sport)

Bayern Munich annihilated Barcelona in a breathtaking first half display in their Champions League quarter-final on Friday, racing into an incredible 4-1 lead at half-time to move within reach of the last four.

Thomas Muller gave Bayern the lead in the fourth minute.

Although Barca quickly replied with an own goal from David Alaba, the slick Germans went on to rip fresh holes through the Catalans, scoring three goals in the space of 10 minutes through Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry and another from Muller.

The Spaniards pulled one back early in the second half through Luis Suarez but Bayern quickly restored their three-goal lead thanks to Joshua Kimmich.

Robert Lewandowski added a sixth before Philippe Coutinho, on loan from Barca, rubbed even more salt into Barca's wounds by scoring a late double to seal a stunning 8-2 win.

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