Messi urges Barcelona fans to stop 'ugly' treatment of Coutinho

Lionel Messi jumped to Philippe Coutinho's defense by criticizing Barcelona fans who taunted the Brazilian during Wednesday's Champions League victory over Liverpool.

Messi, who scored a pair of goals in the 3-0 first-leg victory, urged supporters to refrain from such behavior against one of their own players and to come together as Barcelona attempt add another Champions League title to their trophy cabinet.

"We're at the defining stage of the season and we have to be more united than ever," Messi told reporters afterward, according to Sam Marsden of ESPN FC. "I said that at the start of the season. It's not the time to criticize anyone.

"We have to support each other and stick together for the rest of the season. It is ugly to treat a player like that when they're taken off."

After Coutinho struggled to make an impact against his former team, manager Ernesto Valverde opted to replace him with Nelson Semedo. The decision was met with jeers by the Barcelona supporters who were seemingly happy to see the back of Coutinho, a player obtained by Barcelona from Liverpool for a club-record fee in 2018.

Coutinho appeared to display his frustration with the Barcelona faithful in the previous round of the Champions League after scoring against Manchester United at the Camp Nou. Instead of celebrating, the 26-year-old plugged his ears in what was perceived as a response to constant jeers and whistles by the home crowd.