Lionel Messi arrived at FC Barcelona in 2000 on the age of simply 13. From there, he launched into a journey by way of the academy, “La Masia,” earlier than making his approach into the primary staff, finally cementing his legacy as the best participant within the membership’s historical past. Even after his sudden departure in 2021 and his transfer to Inter Miami, the Argentine nonetheless holds the membership in excessive regard. Just lately, he revealed the 2 individuals who had probably the most profound influence on his profession at Barcelona.
Over the course of his 21-year tenure on the membership, Messi labored alongside numerous gamers, coaches, managers, rivals, employees, and executives. In a latest interview with Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Messi was requested in regards to the personalities who had probably the most important affect on his time at Barcelona. With out hesitation, the Argentine named two legends who formed his profession.
“I believe there are two (individuals) who marked me rather a lot for various causes. Pep, as a result of I had him as a coach for a few years and we achieved unbelievable issues that we by no means would have imagined. And Ronaldinho, due to the best way he welcomed me, how he helped me—he was an enormous assist throughout my early days with the primary staff,” Messi informed MD.
Pep Guardiola was Messi’s second coach at Barcelona, succeeding Frank Rijkaard, and was pivotal in elevating the staff to new heights. Beneath Guardiola, Barcelona achieved outstanding success, together with the historic “Sextuple” in 2009, whereas Messi loved his greatest seasons, notably setting the report for many targets in a season in 2011-12, with 73 targets.
As for Ronaldinho, Messi was the Brazilian’s keen pupil. At the moment, Ronaldinho was the star of the staff, however he took Messi underneath his wing, providing steering and mentorship. One of many defining moments of their partnership got here when Ronaldinho supplied the help for Messi’s first-ever objective for Barcelona.
Past Guardiola and Ronaldinho, Messi additionally mirrored on different key figures from his Barcelona days: “I additionally keep in mind lots of Andres (Iniesta) and Xavi as teammates, and the three gamers I’m with right here in Miami (Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez), who’re additionally pals. And naturally, a particular point out to Tito Vilanova, whom we miss a lot.”
Messi’s needs for Barcelona
Though Messi was compelled to depart Barcelona in 2021 because of the membership’s monetary difficulties, his affection for the membership stays sturdy. The Argentine has usually spoken about his want to return to the town within the short-to-mid time period. Now, he has brazenly shared his needs for the way forward for the membership that formed his profession:
“I hope the membership can return to being what it at all times was. Along with being a worldwide reference, which it by no means stopped being, I need it to at all times be preventing for titles till the very finish of every season… I’d like to see Barça profitable La Liga, the Copa, and in addition the Champions League once more. And within the years when that isn’t potential, not less than I hope they compete till the final second.”
Whereas Messi is now not taking part in for Barcelona, he stays a loyal fan of the membership. As he watches their resurgence this season, the legendary ahead expressed admiration for the work of coach Hansi Flick, significantly his potential to develop younger expertise—one thing that has been a trademark of the membership’s latest historical past.
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