Ex-Arsenal star smashed into Lionel Messi and 'tried to get sent off' as Barcelona humiliated him
Today at 08:58 AM
El Clasico is usually the most glamorous match in world football, but in 2011 viewers would be forgiven for thinking they were at Wrestlemania.
Real Madrid were hosting Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu and in a contest that was Jose Mourinho vs Pep Guardiola, the contrast in styles was clear for all to see.
Despite a star-studded field that featured Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria, Xavi, David Villa and Lionel Messi, it was Emmanuel Adebayor who stole the show for all of the wrong reasons.
Real Madrid had claimed a 0-0 draw in the semi-final first leg of their Champions League clash at the Nou Camp and clearly looked to stop Barcelona from playing their natural game at the Bernabeu.
What followed was a bad-tempered encounter in which both sides ended with a red card as Jose Manuel Pinto – on the bench – and red card specialist Pepe were given their marching orders.
Pepe’s red also saw Jose Mourinho sent to the stands after his protests were deemed to have overstepped the mark.
Sensing that it wasn’t a game for the creativity of Mesut Ozil, Mourinho had brought Adebayor off the bench at half time to ruffle some feathers, something that he certainly managed.
Along with a crunching challenge on Lionel Messi, Adebayor endured a minute of madness as he blatantly barged Xavi off the ball, before running at Sergio Busquets moments later with his hands raised and knocking a second Barca star to the floor.
Picking up the most obvious booking you’re ever likely to see, the former Arsenal and Man City star somehow felt aggrieved and claimed post-match that Barcelona’s players were cry-babies.
He said: “Maybe Pepe committed a foul but I don’t think it was a red card.
“Whenever you play against Barca, whenever you touch them they are on the floor crying like a baby.”
Adebayor went on: “I have played three games against Barcelona and each time we have had to play with 10 men.
“Everyone talks about Barcelona and their fair play but I think they are very far away from fair play.
“Whenever you make contact when going for a one-on-one or 50-50 ball they are on the floor crying, putting their hand up near their face.
“Their manager, fans and the players on the bench are always crying.
"Don't get me wrong Barcelona is a fantastic club, they have fantastic players, but they have to stop that.”
Unfortunately Adebayor’s efforts didn’t pay off as a late Messi double saw Barcelona progress to the final at Real Madrid’s expense.
While Adebayor clearly saw the game one way, Graeme Souness and Eidur Gudjohnsen were left baffled by his approach.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Souness said: “I don't what was in his head.
“He was intent on just going around leaving it on people – he wasn't interested in the ball."
Gudjohnsen added: “The difference with Adebayor was that he was just making stupid challenges and trying to steam into people.
"With Diarra they were honest challenges and nothing malicious while Adebayor was just trying to get sent off I think!"
Adebayor’s time at Real Madrid may have been short-lived, but he did manage to score eight goals in 22 games for the club.
Having spent six months on loan at the Santiago Bernabeu, the striker returned to Man City before leaving for Tottenham on an initial loan deal and spending four and a half years with the Whites.
