Lionel Messi reveals two names who helped frame Barcelona career
Lionel Messi has thanked a current Premier League manager for shaping his Barcelona career. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner spent 21 years with the Spanish giants after joining their academy aged 13. Messi has named the two figures who shaped his time at BarcelonaAFP He went on to become the club’s all-time leading scorer and appearance maker with 672 goals in 772 matches. Messi said an emotional goodbye in 2021 as he left to join Paris Saint-Germain but has now reflected on his time at the Camp Nou. The 37-year-old was asked which figures from Barcelona’s history had the greatest impact on him. Several former team-mates and managers were highlighted by Messi, but he singled out Pep Guardiola and Ronaldinho as the most important. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, he explained: “I think there are to that have had a big impact on me for different reasons. “Pep, because I had him as a coach for many years and we achieved incredible things that we would never have imagined. “And Ronaldinho, because the way he welcomed me, how he helped me, was very useful to me in my first moments in the first team. “I also remember Andres [Iniesta] and Xavi as teammates, and [Busquets, Alba and Suarez] who play with me here in Miami who are also friends. “And of course, a special mention for [former coach] Tito Vilanova, whom we miss so much.” Messi scored 211 goals and provided 94 assists in 219 appearances under Guardiola. AFPGuardiola and Messi won three league titles and two Champions Leagues in four years[/caption] Ronaldinho helped welcome a teenage Messi into the Barcelona first-teamGetty Images - Getty He also won four consecutive Ballons d’Or during the Manchester City boss’ tenure between 2008 and 2012. That period also saw Barca win 14 trophies, including three league titles in a row and a pair of Champions League crowns. Meanwhile, Messi and Ronaldinho appeared together 80 times between 2004 and 2008. They also won the Champions League in 2006 as well as two league titles. Messi later inherited the number 10 shirt from Ronaldinho when the Brazilian left the club. As well as thanking Guardiola and Ronaldinho, the Inter Miami captain also had a message for supporters. Addressing the Barca fans, he added: “I miss you all very much, I hope we can see each other again soon and that you feel proud to be part of the best club in the world.” Messi’s time at Barca saw him win 35 major trophies, including 10 league titles and the Champions League four times.
Lionel Messi has thanked a current Premier League manager for shaping his Barcelona career.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner spent 21 years with the Spanish giants after joining their academy aged 13.
He went on to become the club’s all-time leading scorer and appearance maker with 672 goals in 772 matches.
Messi said an emotional goodbye in 2021 as he left to join Paris Saint-Germain but has now reflected on his time at the Camp Nou.
The 37-year-old was asked which figures from Barcelona’s history had the greatest impact on him.
Several former team-mates and managers were highlighted by Messi, but he singled out Pep Guardiola and Ronaldinho as the most important.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, he explained: “I think there are to that have had a big impact on me for different reasons.
“Pep, because I had him as a coach for many years and we achieved incredible things that we would never have imagined.
“And Ronaldinho, because the way he welcomed me, how he helped me, was very useful to me in my first moments in the first team.
“I also remember Andres [Iniesta] and Xavi as teammates, and [Busquets, Alba and Suarez] who play with me here in Miami who are also friends.
“And of course, a special mention for [former coach] Tito Vilanova, whom we miss so much.”
Messi scored 211 goals and provided 94 assists in 219 appearances under Guardiola.
He also won four consecutive Ballons d’Or during the Manchester City boss’ tenure between 2008 and 2012.
That period also saw Barca win 14 trophies, including three league titles in a row and a pair of Champions League crowns.
Meanwhile, Messi and Ronaldinho appeared together 80 times between 2004 and 2008.
They also won the Champions League in 2006 as well as two league titles.
Messi later inherited the number 10 shirt from Ronaldinho when the Brazilian left the club.
As well as thanking Guardiola and Ronaldinho, the Inter Miami captain also had a message for supporters.
Addressing the Barca fans, he added: “I miss you all very much, I hope we can see each other again soon and that you feel proud to be part of the best club in the world.”
Messi’s time at Barca saw him win 35 major trophies, including 10 league titles and the Champions League four times.
