The former FC Barcelona player and coach gave his assessment of the chances of Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola knows a thing or two about FC Barcelona, having played for the club from 1990-2001 and then leading the team in its most important run in history from 2008-2012. Pep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona team is considered by many to be the best. football team ever assembled.
As a manager, Pep Guardiola won 14 titles with Barcelona and Lionel Messi was the key to his success. Messi had career years under Guardiola, highlighted by winning two Champions Leagues.
In an interview with ESPN, Pep Guardiola gave his thoughts on Messi’s contract situation and what Barcelona need to do or try to do to get rid of their prodigal son.
Messi’s disappointing departure
Messi‘s departure two summers ago came as a shock for the Blaugrana. “I never would have thought that it would end as it did,” Guardiola added.
“I’m convinced what president [Joan] Laporta loves Leo, and since he left, he has said [Messi] deserves to have a farewell for the important figure that he is.
“Leo helped our club [Barcelona] become much greater than when he arrived. When a person is so big, you have to say goodbye in the right way. He left because of very difficult financial circumstances, for thousands of reasons that I’m not going to get into.
“I hope the day comes when I’m in my seat [at Camp Nou] and I can stand up and applaud, and say goodbye to Leo as he deserves.
“And I know that Joan [Laporta] is going to try, and Leo too, and he and his family will receive all the love that Barcelona fans have for him, with all the gratitude and respect for what he did for the club.”
