Lionel Messi has explained how Pep Guardiola has harmed football since becoming a manager.
Guardiola began his senior managerial career in 2008 when he was selected to replace Frank Rijkaard as Barcelona manager.
The Catalan became one of the greatest managers of all time, winning the vast majority of league titles he contested in Spain, Germany and England, as well as two Champions Leagues with Barcelona.
Messi has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Guardiola’s coaching at Camp Nou, developing tremendously under the Spaniard, and he says he is the best manager he has ever had.
In fact, the Argentine says Guardiola is so good that he has damaged football as many have tried and failed to emulate him.
“Pep is the best coach I’ve ever had,” Messi told Movistar.
“Everything he planned always happened. He is exceptional in the way he sees things, prepares for matches and communicates.”
“Guardiola also did a lot of damage to football because he seemed too easy, so simple that everyone wanted to copy him. Later I found many ‘Guardiolas’ there and you realize what we did, what it was.”
Messi won every possible trophy under Guardiola at Barcelona and has since added Ligue 1 and the Copa America to his cabinet.
The only prize that eludes him is the World Cup, and this winter will most likely be his last chance to get his hands on it.
With Argentina unbeaten in more than 30 games, they are one of the favorites to go all the way in Qatar.