The ex-Everton striker faced criticism for his salute to the Argentian superstar after his stunning double meant his side took a 3-0 lead in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final
GARY LINEKER has refused to apologise to Liverpool fans for his "cringe" celebration after Lionel Messi's Champions League heroics against the Reds.
The Barcelona captain netted twice as his side took a 3-0 lead in the first leg of the European semi-final, the second of which was a wonder free-kick.
The spectacular set-piece, which was his 600th goal for the La Liga giants, not only sent fans inside the Nou Camp wild but it also affected the pundits in the studio.
Lineker, a former Barcelona hero, was fronting BT Sport's coverage alongside Rio Ferdinand and the pair were filmed jumping for joy following Messi's remarkable effort.
The Match of the Day host held his arms aloft in celebration while the ex-Manchester United defender screamed in jubilation, leading some supporters to accuse the two of a lack of impartiality.
However, the 58-year-old wrote on Twitter: ";Seem to have upset a few Liverpool fans by celebrating greatness last night.
"Admittedly it was a bit cringe, but as a former player who loves Barcelona I make no apologies for dancing to the diminutive Dios."
It was a bit cringe, but as a former player who loves Barcelona I make no apologies for dancing
Gary Lineker on criticism of his Messi celebration
Lineker had earlier branded Messi the undisputed greatest footballer of all time after his dazzling display left Liverpool on the brink of elimination ahead of the return leg.
Following the free-kick, he posted: "WOW! Just Wow. Messi scores his 600th goal for Barcelona with as good a freekick as you’ll ever see. The little genius defies logic."
Messi's double after Luis Suarez's opener - which he celebrated against his former employer - means Barca already have one foot in June's final in Madrid.
Jurgen Klopp even said that the Barca No 10 was "unstoppable" and revealed he is a ";big admirer" of the Argentinian and his team-mates.
The Anfield boss had a perfect view of the strike and even managed a smile when the goal went in, but it wasn't the best free-kick that the German has been on the end of.
Back in 2014, while still in charge of Borussia Dortmund, Klopp's team were on the end of another 3-0 walloping, this time to Hamburg.
In that game, Hakan Calhanoglu unleashed one of the best free-kicks of the last decade to put the cherry on top in injury-time.
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