Lionel Messi labels Pep Guardiola as the ‘best coach in the world – Lionel Messi has hailed Pep Guardiola as the best manager in the world after he guided Manchester City to an historic treble.
It is the Spaniard’s second treble of his career with Barcelona scooping the LaLiga title, Copa del Rey and Champions League in the 2009/10 season.
Only Carlo Ancelotti has now won more Champions League titles than Guardiola’s three, with two of those triumphs coming during his four-year spell in charge of the Blaugrana.
World Cup winner Messi was a key part of the 52-year-old’s squad, and he has been quick to laud his former mentor.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has announced he will be joining MLS outfit Inter Miami, believes Guardiola’s recent success has proven he is the best in the business.
He told Titan Sports: “I talk a lot with Guardiola and kept in frequent contact.
“I’m very happy with what he’s achieved, the last Champions League.
“He’s the best coach in the world although, for me, he didn’t have to win this Champions League to prove it, but [it is] an achievement he deserves.”
Messi also confirmed that he has likely played his last World Cup, as he all-but ruled out his chances of featuring in the 2026 edition.
Asked whether he would help Argentina defend their crown, he remarked: “I think not. This was my last World Cup.
“I will see how things go, but in principle no, I will not go to the next World Cup.”
And Messi also declared that he is no longer motivated to scoop another Ballon d’Or, despite being in contention to win along with Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.
He stated: “Does the Ballon d’Or matter to me? No, it’s no longer important to me.
“I’ve always said, the individual prizes are not what matters to me, but the collective ones are the most important.
“The most important prize at the moment is the World Cup, the greatest prize for me.”
