LIONEL MESSI reportedly warned the referee in charge of Barcelona's win over Chelsea: Don't speak badly to me.
The Nou Camp superstar complained to Damir Skomina about a first-half decision which went against the home side.
Skomina said: "Leo, turn it down."
But according to reports, Messi, 30, snapped back at the official.
It was Chelsea who felt more aggrieved during the 3-0 defeat when the ref waved away Marcos Alonso's penalty appeal with the score at 2-0.
The Spaniard went down under contact from Gerard Pique.
Footage shows the Barca defender had a hold of his countryman's arm with Alonso through on goal.
Chelsea legend Michael Ballack slammed Skomina for the decision to play on.
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He tweeted: "Same old story #referee"
Messi scored twice and Ousmane Dembele netted his first Barca goal to win the Champions League tie 4-1 on aggregate.
Antonio Conte shook hands with the Argentina ace after the match and praised him on his performance.
He said: "I congratulated him.
"We're talking about a player that keeps making the difference in an obvious way.
"We're talking about a player who can alter a result and that's what he did in the two games we played. Messi was the difference in both."
The Champions League quarter-final draw takes place today at 11am.
Antonio Conte heaps praise on Lionel Messi after he helps Barcelona knock Chelsea out of Europe
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