Bookmakers celebrate low-key Lionel Messi performance in Champions League final

ByMaxwell Ward

Updated 07/06/2015 at 12:53 GMT

Bookmakers suffered as Barcelona claimed a 3-1 victory in the Champions League final but they were grateful for a rare goalless game for Lionel Messi.

William Hill say that 84% of all 90 minute bets were correctly placed on a Barcelona victory, who won thanks to goals from Ivan Rakitic, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

The only saving grace for bookmakers was that Lionel Messi did not add to his 58 goals this season, having been the subject of 72% of all goalscorer bets.

"We have taken a bit of a battering but had Messi scored, we would have been closing the shutters," said William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly.

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Barcelona's Xavi (C) and Ivan Rakitic celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League Final

Image credit: Reuters

The bookmakers have already released odds for next season's Champions League, with Barcelona favourites at 3/1, Real Madrid at 4/1 and Bayern Munich also at 4/1.

All four English sides feature in the top 10 with Chelsea at 9/1, Manchester City at 12/1, Manchester United on 14/1 and Arsenal at 16/1.

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