The admiration that Pep Guardiola feels for Lionel Messi from a professional and personal point of view is more than proven evidence. The Manchester City coach never tires of acknowledging the talent of the Argentine star and once again he has devoted genuine praise to the game of his former pupil at FC Barcelona.
In an interview for Ole, Guardiola confesses that Messi’s influence on his coaching career means “everything”. “He knows that there were incredible players who helped him when we were together at Barcelona in those four years. There was an impressive group. Many stars at a fair time and age. We got together and it had to happen, ”says the DT, published daily Brand from Spain.
“Xavi, Pujol, Iniesta… A chemistry was generated between all of them that happens only once in a lifetime. We won a lot and without Messi we would have also won titles, but… how many? Not impossible. Without wanting to compare myself, Leo is like my Michael Jordan, when Phil Jackson could feel that feeling that everything was flowing and there were no problems. It was ‘we grab the plane and we’re going for another’, and so on. I owe him a good bottle of wine to thank him for the contracts he made me sign”, says Pep happily.
Questioned about the evolution of Messi’s football, the Spanish coach was very clear: “Has he changed in his game? You get older and the energy you have at 20 is not the same now. We all change, we are all different. He has changed, he has played millions of games on his legs, in his head and he is readjusting, as it should be, ”he justified.
“When he was 20 or 21 he showed that energy to conquer the world and a youth that was seen in the legs for the efforts that we asked him for. Today, at 34, she is smart enough to know when to do it and when not to,” she added.
Guardiola did not hesitate to also assess Messi’s expectations with Argentina ahead of the next World Cup in Qatar. “Will he be the last…? Well, I hope he arrives physically well, that he trains well and arrives strong. I did not speak with him after the Copa América, but obviously I must congratulate him. Surely it was a very big liberation for him. It is not easy to be Messi in this world of football. And now he will go for the World Cup, I have no doubt, ”he assured. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
