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ENGLAND
The Times
UNITED LEAVE ROME IN RUINS
"They were outclassed by an outstanding Barcelona team -- a group of players who showed what grace, elegance and class of the highest order still exist far beyond the Elysian fields of the Barclays Premier League." - Oliver Kay
The Daily Mail
HUMBLED
"Manchester United's dream of a second successive Champions League triumph was shattered by the genius of Lionel Messi."
"United were passed to death by the seductive brilliance of Barcelona." - Martin Samuel
The Independent
BEAUTIFUL BARCA STRIP THE FALLEN OF THEIR CROWN
"To call Barcelona the champions of Europe this morning is to give them their lesser title. The one they demand, unquestionably, is champions of football." - James Lawton
Daily Telegraph
BARCELONA FLATTEN UNITED'S EMPIRE
"Messi, so small of frame yet so immense a talent, industrious as well as inventive, ended the debate over who was the best player on the planet." - Henry Winter.
REALITY CHECK TOUGH TO ACCEPT
"Barcelona's geometric wizardry was a ligature that squeezed the life out of United's challenge." - Kevin Garside
The Guardian
AS GLADIATORS CLASH, MESSI IS THE CHAMPION
"The clash of the world's two best teams and the two most gifted footballers on the globe ended with Manchester United losing a European Cup final for the first time in four appearances and Barcelona's Lionel Messi asserting his domination over the Premier League's Cristiano Ronaldo."
Daily Mirror
"Manchester United were on the wrong end of one of the most one-sided Champions League finals there has ever been last night. They marched into the Stadio Olimpico with dreams of becoming the first team to retain the trophy but they were sent away with a flea in their ear for their impudence."
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SPAIN
El Periodico
TOUCHING HEAVEN
"This resounding victory is a message to those who only believe in results and winning. Barca have imposed a style of play that has earned millions of eulogies from every corner of the world.
"The most widely-broadcasted text message of 2009 has now been sent, in large, golden letters: It is possible to win playing well and putting on a spectacle. Copy this model. Be daring." - Johan Cruyff column
Marca
THIS TEAM IS A WORK OF ART
