Lionel Messi has delivered a powerful defence of Pep Guardiola's managerial career, insisting the Manchester City boss is the finest coach in football and that his record in the Champions League should not be used against him.
Messi's Unwavering Praise for Guardiola
In an exclusive interview with ESPN, the Argentine superstar, who reached legendary status under Guardiola at Barcelona, left no room for debate. "For me, Guardiola is unique," Messi stated. "There are extraordinarily good coaches, but he has something different. For me, he's the best of all of them."
Messi's rise to global football dominance was cemented during Guardiola's tenure at the Camp Nou. Together, they secured two Champions League titles and dominated La Liga, with Messi winning four consecutive Ballon d'Or awards from 2009 to 2012. Guardiola, who took over from Frank Rijkaard in 2008, immediately won a historic treble in his debut season with a squad featuring Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi.
Addressing the Champions League Criticism
A common critique of Guardiola's career has been his inability to win Europe's top prize more frequently, especially during his three-year spell at Bayern Munich and his first six seasons at Manchester City. At Bayern, he won three Bundesliga titles but fell at the semi-final stage of the Champions League each year.
Similarly, at City, it took seven attempts before he finally guided the club to Champions League glory in 2023, completing a historic treble. Messi, however, firmly rejected the idea that these near-misses diminish Guardiola's standing.
"He went to other places and continued winning," Messi explained. "It's not just because of winning but because of the way his teams played. He did at Bayern, although he couldn't win the Champions League there, he changed the way the game was played in Germany, the same in England with City, he changed the way the league is played."
A Lasting Legacy of Innovation
Messi emphasised that Guardiola's impact transcends trophies, highlighting his revolutionary influence on the sport's tactical landscape. He credited the Catalan coach for assembling the perfect pieces at Barcelona to execute his visionary style, which many consider produced the greatest club side of all time.
Since leaving Barcelona in 2012, Guardiola has maintained his philosophy and winning habits at both Bayern Munich and Manchester City, proving his methods are effective across different leagues and cultures. Messi concluded that fans and players were "lucky to have him" at Barcelona, where the right combination of coach and talent led to unprecedented success.
This strong endorsement from one of football's greatest ever players serves as a robust counter-argument to those who question Guardiola's legacy based solely on European cup tallies, instead framing it around transformative coaching and consistent domestic excellence.
