Fernandinho denies connection with Lionel Messi’s outburst after Man City beat Barcelona

The Brazilian has rejected reports that he was the City player involved in the altercation

Fernandinho has denied he was the Manchester City player at the centre of a bust-up with Lionel Messi.

The Barcelona star rowed with a player from Pep Guardiola’s side at full-time after City’s stunning Champions League victory on Tuesday night.

But Fernandinho has moved to deny reports he was involved in the altercation. The unnamed City player is believed to have said something to Messi who responded by calling him an “imbecile”.

The Argentine playmaker reportedly headed to the home dressing room yelling, “come back here, don’t hide”.

He was calmed down by compatriot Sergio Aguero who later confirmed the incident.

But Fernandinho posted a message on Instagram which read: “I do not know where the rumours of a possible provocation and discussion on my part with Messi came from!

“So I have to say that the news circulating in the media are absurd untruths, because I did not even have contact with players or members of the technical committee of Barcelona after the game.

“[To] instigate and provoke [is] not part of my nature, considering that I cherish very much respect on and off the field, regardless of the opponent, club or player in question.”

Aguero said earlier: ““Whenever you lose you’re not very happy. I saw him there, he was feeling bad. I know him well enough to know when he’s bad, when he’s good. But when you lose, nobody’s good.

“I thought Messi said something to me but he didn’t, and then we talked about other stuff. It was nothing serious. I heard something but I don’t know what happened.

“When someone loses you have to respect them. Leo wasn’t in the mood to talk and I respect that.”

City ran out 3-1 winners thanks to two goals from Ilkay Gundogan and a free-kick from Kevin De Bruyne after Messi had given Barcelona the lead.