MADRID: Real Madrid defender Pepe apologized to Lionel Messi for stepping on the Barcelona forward's hand in his team's 2-1 loss in the Copa del Rey, saying that it wasn't intentional.

"As far as the play with Leo Messi, I want to say that it was an involuntary act," Pepe told Real Madrid's website Thursday.

"Even so, if Messi is offended I ask his forgiveness because I want to defend my team and club ... It never passed through my head to cause harm to a fellow professional."

Pepe received a yellow card early in Wednesday's defeat when he barged into Sergio Busquets, but the referee did not book him for stomping on Messi's hand when the forward was on the ground in the second half. Pepe also fell to the pitch at one point clutching his face after coming into contact with Cesc Fabregas, but replays showed the Barcelona midfielder never touched him there.

Pepe's actions, as well as Madrid's defensive tactics, have been widely criticized in the Spanish media, including the Madrid-friendly sports dailies.

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said in the post-match press conference that he hadn't seen the incident, but that it would be "punishable" if it was done on purpose.

The 28-year-old center back has collected eight yellow cards in 11 "clasico" matches and a red card in last season's Champions League semifinals with Barcelona. The Portugal international was also banned for 10 games in April 2009 after lashing out at two Getafe players in a skirmish that included him stamping on the back of Javier Casquero after pushing the player to the ground, unprovoked.

The second leg will be played at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium next week.

Barcelona has beaten Madrid 10 times in their last 13 meetings. This was its sixth win against Madrid since Mourinho arrived in 2010.