It is a general belief that no matter who Lionel Messi plays under, he always performs. As a matter of fact, coaches dream of having him on their team, and over the years, the eight-time Ballon d’Or has played under some great coaches, including Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique, Frank Rijkaard, Ronald Koeman, and Tito Vilanova.
One man who left a lasting impression on Lionel Messi despite only working together for four years is Pep Guardiola. They both have huge respect for each other and on many occasions, they have praised each other publicly, with Lionel Messi recently calling his former manager ‘special.’
Lionel Messi praises Pep Guardiola’s unique coaching approach
Lionel Messi had always been a talented boy who had all he needed to become a world-class player, but he needed someone to give him the freedom to be more expressive on the pitch, and that someone was Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard worked with Messi at Barcelona from 2008 to 2012, winning a historic treble in his first season as they beat Manchester United in the final of the UEFA Champions League to make history.
“Guardiola did a lot of good to football. It seemed so simple and easy that everyone wanted to copy it. I met a lot of Guardiolas around, and that’s when you realize Pep is special in preparing each game and communicating with the players in the way he gave us the strategy,” Messi said of his former manager.
Lionel Messi had the most productive phase of his career under Pep, playing 18,152 minutes and scoring 211 goals. He also recorded 94 assists, which is the most he’s produced under a single manager. The Argentine also won the Ballon d’Or in all four years he spent under Pep, dominating the global trophy from 2009 to 2012.
Messi has had a great year himself since joining Inter Miami, picking up the club’s MVP award just a few weeks after winning his eighth Ballon d’Or over Erling Haaland.
Pep Guardiola once suggested a separate Ballon d’Or for Lionel Messi
To Guardiola, Messi will always be the greatest soccer player of all time. The Spaniard has said in several press conferences that the Argentine is the best he’s trained, and he was put in a tight spot when asked about who should be winning the 2023 Ballon d’Or between Lionel Messi, who won the World Cup with Argentina last year, and Erling Haaland, whose 50 goals helped City complete the treble.
“I’ve always said that the Ballon d’Or should have two sections; one for Messi and the other for other players,” the Manchester City boss said.
“Haaland should also be winning. We won the treble, and he scored 50 goals, but of course, Messi, too. Messi’s worst season is the best for other players, so I’ll say they both deserve it,” he concluded.
Guardiola, who trails Sir Alex Ferguson and Louis Van Gaal, two former United managers, in unbeaten UCL runs, will resume his team’s treble defense after the international break.
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