Barcelona's convincing 2-0 victory over Premier League champions Manchester United in Rome on Wednesday night provoked a torrent of reaction in the British, Spanish and Italian media.

Along with a plethora of Messi-inspired headlines, there were question marks posed over United's tactics and eulogies on the greatness of the Barcelona team.

United leave Rome in ruins - The Times
"Ronaldo criticises Ferguson's tactics as Barcelona triumph," says the Times, which leads with United winger Cristiano Ronaldo's quote: "We were not well, the tactics were not good and everything went wrong."
(Full story: The Times)

That's another fine Messi - Daily Mail
The newspaper says: "Humbled! Tiny Messi, all 5ft 6in of him, soars over dismal United... just call it the Head of God."

The Daily Mail salute Barcelona's superiority to "annihilate" United.
(Full story: Daily Mail)

Lionel Flair is perfect 10 - Daily Star
The Daily Star hails Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi as the next World Footballer of the Year and calls him a "genius with magic in his boots".
(Full story: Daily Star)

Thrown to the Lionels - Daily Mirror
United were taught a lesson by "Beautiful Barcelona", while Barca boss Pep Guardiola is the new "Special Juan", according to the Daily Mirror.
(Full story: Daily Mirror)

Fergie in a right Messi - Daily Express
The Daily Express focuses on Sir Alex Ferguson's reaction to the defeat in Rome, claiming the United manager accused his big-name players of letting themselves down.
(Full story: Daily Express)

Catalan v Matalan - The Sun
The Sun highlights Cristiano Ronaldo's "The tactics were not good" comments but the newspaper also states that United were played off the park by "a Barcelona team superior in every department".
(Full story: The Sun)

United fail their final task as Barca conquer Europe - The Independent
"Barcelona are unarguably the masters of the continent," says The Independent, which goes on to look at the Spanish side's "unplayable" midfield.
(Full story: The Independent)

Just Messimerising - Daily Record
"A triumph for all that is good about the beautiful game," exclaims the Daily Record.
(Full story: Daily Record)

Champions of Legends - El Mundo
The Spanish newspaper is damning in its description of the former Champions of Europe: "The champion has hit the canvas. Cristiano, its symbol, was a king without a head or crown."

Barcelona defender Carles Puyol said in the same publication: "We have tried to win it all and for this reason it is a historic year. We dedicate it to our people, who have fought and suffered the same as we have."
(Full story in Spanish: El Mundo)

On top of the world - El Pais
The Barcelona empire has "buried the dreams of Manchester United", is the line taken.

El Pais also pays tribute to 'El Pulga' (the flea), which is the nickname given to Lionel Messi, and proclaims: "The Flea scores a goal with his head and demonstrates to Cristiano Ronaldo that he is the true king."

It reports that Barcelona had the team to conquer the European Cup, despite the injuries to key players Rafael Márquez, Dani Alves and Eric Abidal.
(Full story in Spanish: El Pais)

Champions! Champions! Champions! - La Vanguardia
Barca and their supporters have experienced "the greatest night in their history by winning the Champions League", said the Barcelona-based newspaper.
(Full story in Spanish: La Vanguardia)

This team is a work of art - Marca
It enthuses: "The whole planet bows before the best team in the world."
(Full story in Spanish: Marca)

Gazzetta dello Sport
The performance of Messi convinced the Italian press of his credentials to topple Ronaldo as the World's best player: "Messi made Ronaldo disappear, he is the new king of the world."

Barca coach Josep Guardiola paid tribute to outgoing Milan legend Paolo Maldini by saying: "I dedicate this Champions to Paolo Maldini, he has the admiration of all of the Europe. For myself, this triumph it is a great delight and it is a pleasure to have won in Rome."
(Full story in Italian: Gazzetta dello Sport)

Corriere della Sera
Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o, who Barca had tried to offload before the season began, was hailed by the Corriere.

"The night of the man with the suitcase," it proclaimed. "Eto'o: from the exit door to triumph."
(Full story in Italian: Corriere della Sera)

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