Sergio Aguero played the role of peacemaker to diffuse a tunnel incident involving Lionel Messi after Manchester City's victory over Barcelona.

The striker, an international team-mate and close friend of the Ballon d'Or winner, stepped in to calm his fellow Argentine down in the aftermath of City's 3-1 success in the Champions League.

Spanish media suggested an altercation took place as the two teams left the Etihad Stadium pitch, with a City player making a remark to Messi which led to the Barca man calling him an 'imbecile'

Messi then shouted 'stupid, stupid, come here!' outside the home dressing room as someone inside mocked him, prior to Aguero's intervention.

Barcelona matchday delegate Carlos Naval picked up the baton, shouting: 'Show your face' to the unidentified voice.

Aguero, however, suggested it was a heat-of-the-moment incident and played down its significance.

'Whenever you lose you're not very happy,' the City forward said.

'I saw him there, he was feeling bad. I know him well enough to know when he's bad, when he's good. But when you lose, nobody's good.

'I thought Messi said something to me but he didn't, and then we talked about other stuff. It was nothing serious. I heard something but I don't know what happened.

'When someone loses you have to respect them. Leo wasn't in the mood to talk and I respect that.'

City deny an incident involving Messi took place.

The hosts secured an impressive victory over Barca despite falling behind to Messi's strike midway through the first half.

Ilkay Gundogan levelled before the break and Kevin De Bruyne's excellent free-kick sent City in front. Gundogan struck again late on to add gloss to the win.