Chelsea defender Gary Cahill felt he proved himself against Lionel Messi's Barcelona this week.

Cahill was facing the man some regard as the best player ever for the first time, and the former Bolton star responded with a career-defining display.

"You're always trying to prove things to yourself," the England centre-back said.

"It's nice because I made the step up to international football, so I felt I could do that from the games I played with England.

"The experience I have taken from this will be vital for my career going forward."