Lionel Messi Shunned by Pep Guardiola in Appraisal of Barcelona vs. Bayern Clash

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola refused to acknowledge the role played by Lionel Messi in the German side's 3-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg loss to Barcelona.

The Argentinian forward, who came to prominence under Guardiola at the Camp Nou, turned on the style inside the last 20 minutes of Wednesday's match, scoring two excellent goals past Manuel Neuer.

He received the ball outside the area, shifted it and fired into the bottom right corner for his first, before leaving Jerome Boateng on his backside and chipping in for the second. Neymar completed the rout, leaving Bayern needing a footballing miracle in the second leg. World Soccer Talk and Copa90 tweeted the goals:

"

This is the second Messi goal. Goosebumps when this one went in... https://t.co/NdM247GnIw #Messi #FCBFCB

— Copa90 (@Copa90) May 6, 2015"

"

Here's the #Neymar goal for 3-0... sublime composure. #FCBFCB https://t.co/BoaWnqWqwF

— Copa90 (@Copa90) May 6, 2015"

Guardiola praised Barcelona, but gave no specific credit to the brilliance of Messi. ESPN reported his comments:

"

I will not say what I think of Messi. They are not just Leo, Barca are a very good team. They were very solid, in defence and attack. They have great players, Neymar, Luis Suarez. We tried to control the game so that Messi would not participate so much. We were 15 minutes away from a very good result. 

"

Guardiola admitted he is "very proud" of his players, especially considering their recent achievements without the likes of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben maintaining fitness.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Bayern set up with a risky back three in the opening stages, and if Neymar and Luis Suarez had finished their chances, the German side would have been out of the tie inside the opening quarter of an hour. Ultimately, the visitors didn't possess the incisive quality to get forward and test Marc-Andre ter Stegen's goal.

Messi's performance caused an avalanche of reaction on Twitter from former professionals and pundits alike. Ex-Barca man Patrick Kluivert followed the familiar line that Messi is, indeed, an extra terrestrial:

Gary Lineker, who also used to lead Barca's front line, made his feelings clear:

Messi's brilliance caught the attention of those away from the footballing world, with Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant joining in:

British television host Piers Morgan spoiled the loving mood:

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

The superlatives are running out to describe Messi, who ousted Cristiano Ronaldo as the Champions League's all-time leading scorer with his brace, per Liam Corless of the Mirror. From Barca's point of view, the most important aspect of the result is that they are on the brink of the European competition's final.

Juventus are currently leading the other semi-final 2-1 at the halfway stage, but a Clasico finale against Madrid is still an option. The way Messi and Barca are playing, it won't matter who they face.