Messi had to watch from the stands as his team-mates won their second European Cup two years ago in Paris due to injury.

The Argentina forward has not had a great deal of luck with injuries when it comes to Europe's elite competition, as this season too he was ruled out for over a month after suffering a hamstring injury against Celtic at the last-16 stage.

Now he is back to full fitness the 20-year-old wants his side to repeat their Paris heroics with him on the pitch.

"It's true I've had a bad time of it in the Champions League," he told Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.

"It was awful for me not being able to play a single minute in the final in Paris.

"For that reason I now want to win the Champions League with me playing in all the games."

To reach the final the Catalan outfit have to overcome English champions Manchester United, who have been in great form this season thanks largely to the contribution of star player Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi and Ronaldo were second and third respectively behind AC Milan's Kaka in the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in December.

But Messi does not believe the game will come down to which of the two players performs best.

He said: "Manchester United are very good, they have great players and it will be a tough tie, but if we are in good shape then we have a great team too and we can make it difficult for them.

"Cristiano is a great player, he showed that last season and he's showing it this year with plenty of goals.

"But it won't be a game between Cristiano Ronaldo and me, but rather one between two great teams.

"We are really keen to do well and to get to the final."