Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos insists he didn't deliberately strike Leo Messi on Saturday night.

Ramos clashed with Messi at the end of the first-half of Barcelona's 1-0 win last night, leaving the Argentine floored with a bloodied lip.

But afterwards, the defender insisted: "It was a reflex action, there was no premeditated gesture.

"He took it badly, but it was an involuntary gesture.

"And he then stayed on the ground..."