Sergio Ramos Comments on Lionel Messi, Barcelona After Real Madrid Beat Napoli

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has denied copying Lionel Messi's goal celebration after scoring against Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday, per Dermot Corrigan for ESPN FC. 

The Madrid captain also admitted he will "sleep more easily" if Barcelona lose to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening, per Marca.

The 30-year-old scored his ninth goal of the season as Real completed a 3-1 win in Naples to secure their place in the quarter-finals, and celebrated with a "call me" sign at the camera, which closely resembled a gesture made by Messi after netting against Celta Vigo on Mar. 4.

Messi's signal—rumoured at the time to be a reference to his ongoing contract negotiations, per Goal—was aimed at his nephew, per Chris Davie for Metro. Ramos' use of a "telephone" salute so soon after Messi's appeared to be related, but the Spaniard has denied the claims.

"I made the gesture before Leo did," he told TV station Antena 3, per Corrigan. "I did it at the Camp Nou."

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Ramos has a knack for scoring important goals, such as Reals' opener in the 2016 Champions League final, and his equaliser on Tuesday night was another example of his leadership skills. Trailing 1-0 and under significant pressure, his goal shifted the momentum of the tie.

"A week ago, the critics were killing me, so I'm not going to claim to be a hero now after scoring these goals," he said, per Marca. "But what better way for me to celebrate 100 matches [in Europe] than by scoring?"

He went on to wish bad luck upon his club's arch-rivals Barcelona, who recently usurped Real at the top of La Liga after Zinedine Zidane's side drew 3-3 with Las Palmas on Mar. 1.

"I'll be happier if Barcelona lose," Ramos said, per Marca. "I'll sleep more easily."

Francois Mori/Associated Press

It is testament to Barcelona's attacking quality that Ramos is not already sleeping easy, given that PSG hold a 4-0 advantage from the first leg. No team has ever overturned a four-goal first-leg deficit in the Champions League knockout stages, per Goal, but the Catalan club's recent form suggests it will be possible on Wednesday evening.

They have won their last two matches 6-1 and 5-0 in La Liga, leading to Luis Enrique making confident predictions about his side's chances.

"It will be difficult, but I have indestructible faith that we can play great and get right back into contention," he said, per the BBC.

BT Sport commentator Ian Darke highlighted Enrique's positive comments on Twitter:

Ramos may be dreaming of a Barca defeat, but this could hurt Real domestically. Currently one point behind Barca in the title race with a game in hand, Los Merengues need their rivals to be competing on multiple fronts during the run-in.