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Pep Guardiola recently appeared on the popular Italian show Che Tempo Che Fa where he reunited with his former Brescia teammate, Roberto Baggio.
Guardiola spoke openly about his career, Lionel Messi, his admiration for Johan Cruyff, and his enduring connection with Barcelona, providing some insightful reflections.
He acknowledged that he’s had the privilege of managing three great teams during his career, but Barcelona, the club of his heart, hold a special place in his journey.
His deep connection to the Catalan club is something he often reflects on, and it continues to shape his outlook on the sport. “I was lucky at Barcelona, the team of my heart. But I’ve been in three great teams in my career,” he admitted.
One of the key figures in Guardiola’s development was Johan Cruyff. He credited the Dutch legend for significantly influencing his career, not just from a tactical perspective but also shaping him as a person.
“I can’t imagine what my life and career would have been like without Cruyff.
“He taught me a lot on a tactical level, but above all, he created me on a human level. He was a genius, unique. He made me fall in love with football,” he noted.
Lionel Messi, Pele, Maradona
Pep Guardiola says Lionel Messi is the best player of all time. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Guardiola also addressed his time coaching Lionel Messi, highlighting the rare talent Messi possesses. While he recognises other football legends like Pele and Maradona, he considers Messi to be the best player of all time.
“You have to know him. For me, it’s easy to say that he’s the best player of all time, but the stars came together at that moment.
“The strongest? Maybe it’s a lack of respect towards Pelé and Maradona, but for me yes.”
Guardiola marvels at Messi’s consistency over such a long period, comparing him to other sporting greats like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. He…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/former-manager-admits-he-would-avoid-facing-barcelona-in-the-champions-league/
Author : Swapnil Bhopatkar
Publish date : 2024-10-14 05:20:00
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