Barcelona the 'Greatest team ever'

TRIUMPHANT Barcelona were yesterday hailed the best football team ever - as they paraded the Champions League trophy in front of hundreds of thousands of fans back home.

Beaten Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Nobody's given us a hiding like that but they deserve it.

"In my time as manager, it's the best team I've faced."

Former England managers joined the praise. Steve McClaren said: "Barcelona's performance was an education for any footballer or coach watching.

"I think when you look at this in years to come, you'll think how good Barcelona were. They were special, and it was a privilege and a pleasure to watch them play like that."

And Glenn Hoddle added: "Barcelona are a class above anything in club football. I can't see an international team better than them. Manchester United are a great side in their own right but they were outclassed."

He then saluted man-of-the match Lionel Messi, saying: "He is the greatest player on the planet at this moment. He is a special player playing in a special team."

Argentina legend Ossie Ardiles said: "Barcelona are a magnificent team and there is no way to play against them. They are the best team ever."

The former Spurs star believes Messi has overtaken Diego Maradona as the greatest player of all time.

He went on: "I played with Diego for seven years and I did not think anybody would ever be as good as him. I was wrong.

"Messi is the best player in the world and in my opinion the best player ever. Maradona was magnificent but Messi can do anything he could and a lot more."

Barcelona celebrated Saturday night's 3-1 Wembley win with a parade in an open-topped double decker. Jubilant supporters lined the streets and saw a firework spectacular at the club's 98,000-seater Nou Camp stadium.

Afterwards players went to a gig in the city by pop beauty Shakira - girlfriend of defender Gerard Pique. She told fans on Twitter: "Champions! Long live Barca! And now get ready, the big celebration is coming!"

Meanwhile Manchester United's deflated players left London's posh Landmark Hotel admitting they had been given a football masterclass.

But 200,000 fans are still expected to turn out for their Premier League victory parade today.

"Barcelona are an exceptional team and are worthy champions."

He thanked golf pal Graeme McDowell, who was in the crowd and sent him a message of consolation, replying: "Cheers mate. The lads ran themselves into the ground but they were just too good for us on the night."

Spanish champions Barcelona ran United ragged at times. UEFA statistics showed they made an incredible 777 passes in the 90 minutes - more than double the Red Devil's 357.

Pique marked the victory by cutting down one of the goal nets as a memento.

The match was watched live by 10million fans in Britain - and by an estimated half a billion worldwide.

ITV banked more than £8million in ad revenue. Sky Sports raked in £2million and won the acclaim of pundits for outshining their terrestrial rivals with their coverage.

Viewers saw Sir Alex lose his cool when questioned about the defeat.

He admitted United had been outclassed, but when ITV's Gabriel Clarke followed up by asking where he had hoped to do better, the United boss snapped: "That's all I'm saying, right?" He then froze out further questions.

In Barcelona, thousands of fans took to the streets at the full-time whistle - on top of 50,000 who were watching on a giant screen

But some of the wild celebrations turned violent as supporters clashed with cops.

Yobs hurled bottles and flares at police. Eighty were arrested and at least 118 people were injured, including one officer.

In the town of Santa Comba a girl of 17 died at a fountain when she fell down an uncovered shaft leading to its pump. Fans had poured shampoo in the water to create bubbles, but some had overflowed and hidden the hole. Last night Prince Harry joined stars including Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, actor and United fan Ralf Little, former England and Man Utd player Teddy Sheringham, cricketer Andrew Flintoff and model and actress Mischa Barton at an "after-party" hosted by competition sponsor Heineken at London's One Marylebone venue.

Mark Ronson - who acted as DJ after a screening of the game - said: "It was an evening to remember."