Lionel Messi is currently fulfilling his club commitments with MLS side Inter Miami after leaving PSG this summer as a free agent. The Miami star made history by receiving his record eighth Ballon d’Or honor. Messi had previously played under the renowned Spanish tactician Pep Guardiola at FC Barcelona.
The Messi-Pep duo at Barcelona was phenomenal. They both broke numerous records and won many titles, trophies, and led treble-winning campaigns. Guardiola, currently in charge of Manchester City, revealed which star from Man City reminds him of Messi.
Pep Guardiola compares Man City star to Lionel Messi
Pep Guardiola is among the elite head coaches in Europe, having previously managed top European clubs such as FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and now Manchester City. He has led all his previous clubs to domestic as well as European championship glory.
Most recently, the 52-year-old head coach guided the Premier League champions to their first-ever Champions League triumph and eventually won the treble the same season, creating history. Moreover, under Pep, City has retained its league title for the last five out of six seasons, displaying sheer dominance.
Since taking charge of the Premier League outfit in 2016, he has transformed the club into the world’s best at the moment. At the Ballon d’Or Awards, Manchester City received the Club of the Year 2023 accolade following a record-breaking campaign.
Pep Guardiola coached Lionel Messi from 2008 to 2012 at Barcelona, playing a crucial role in shaping his career. Recently, the Man City boss revealed that their Portuguese star Bernardo Silva, who has been a key player for them, reminds him of Lionel Messi.
He said, “He is an extraordinary player, he made two great goals. The action from the second goal looks like Messi, Messi has done that many times. Everyone is so happy to have him here.”
This comparison came after Silva scored a stunning goal, elegantly chipping the ball over the keeper, in a similar fashion to Lionel Messi’s goal, against Bournemouth in a 6-1 thrashing victory on Sunday.
Sergio Aguero wants Pep Guardiola to reunite with Lionel Messi
Former Manchester City and Barcelona star Sergio Aguero, who played under Pep Guardiola at Etihad, became one of the best strikers to grace the Premier League. Playing alongside Lionel Messi in the Argentina national team, he was forced to take retirement due to a medical condition after joining Barcelona in 2022.
Aguero has expressed his desire for a reunion between Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi, with Guardiola taking up the head coach position at the Argentina national team.
However, he also believes international football can be frustrating. The possibility of this happening is low, as Pep is under contract with Man City and has two years left on his deal.
