Lionel Messi 'stood outside Manchester City changing room demanding player who was taunting him come outside' forcing Sergio Aguero to play peacemaker

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Sergio Aguero played the role of peacemaker to diffuse a tunnel incident involving Lionel Messi after Manchester City's victory over Barcelona.

The striker, an international team-mate and close friend of the Ballon d'Or winner, stepped in to calm his fellow Argentine down in the aftermath of City's 3-1 success in the Champions League.

Spanish media suggested an altercation took place as the two teams left the Etihad Stadium pitch, with a City player making a remark to Messi which led to the Barca man calling him an 'imbecile'.

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City and Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action on Tuesday

Messi is reported to have been involved in a heated exchange after the Champions League tie

City players celebrate Kevin de Bruyne's goal during their 3-1 victory over Barca

Messi then shouted 'stupid, stupid, come here!' outside the home dressing room as someone inside mocked him, prior to Aguero's intervention.

Barcelona matchday delegate Carlos Naval picked up the baton, shouting: 'Show your face' to the unidentified voice.

Aguero, however, suggested it was a heat-of-the-moment incident and played down its significance. 

'Whenever you lose you're not very happy,' the City forward said. 

'I saw him there, he was feeling bad. I know him well enough to know when he's bad, when he's good. But when you lose, nobody's good. 

Messi fired Barcelona into the lead midway through the first half at the Etihad Stadium

But Messi was not in a good mood after his team were beaten on Tuesday night

'I thought Messi said something to me but he didn't, and then we talked about other stuff. It was nothing serious. I heard something but I don't know what happened. 

'When someone loses you have to respect them. Leo wasn't in the mood to talk and I respect that.'

City deny an incident involving Messi took place, while Fernandinho has been forced to formally reject claims that it was he who mocked the world's best player.

'I don't know where the rumours and discussion about my role in the provocation of Messi came from,' he said in a statement posted on social media.

The Argentinian is flanked by police as he makes his way through Manchester Airport

'I just want to say that the rumours that are circulating in the media are absurd: I didn't even have contact with any Barcelona players or technical staff after the game.

'Instigating and provoking are not in my nature, bearing in mind that I put a lot of importance on showing respect both on and off the pitch, regardless of the opposition or player in question.'

The hosts secured an impressive victory over Barca despite falling behind to Messi's strike midway through the first half.

Ilkay Gundogan levelled before the break and Kevin De Bruyne's excellent free-kick sent City in front. Gundogan struck again late on to add gloss to the win.

Ilkay Gundogan celebrates the first of his two strikes for City against Barcelona