The low point of an ill-tempered performance from Pepe came when the 28-year-old centre-back was spotted standing on the hand of Ballon d'Or winner Messi in Wednesday's match.

Portugal international Pepe has now released a statement claiming there was no malice intended during the incident in Real's first-leg defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"With regard to the play involving Leo Messi, it was an involuntary act," Pepe said in the statement. "But even still, if Messi is offended, I apologise as I was only intending on defending my team.

"I give myself body and soul (in matches) and it never goes through my head to hurt a colleague."

Pepe and Messi are both expected to be involved when the two teams meet in the second leg at Camp Nou next Wednesday.