Football icon Lionel Messi has made a surprising admission about his former coach Pep Guardiola, claiming that the legendary manager “did a lot of harm” to football — though not with negative intent.
In a candid reflection shared on Quora, the Argentine superstar explained that Guardiola’s revolutionary ideas at Barcelona were so influential that they created an entire generation of imitators who failed to replicate his genius.
“It seemed so simple and easy that everyone wanted to copy his style,” Messi wrote.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who enjoyed his most dominant years under Guardiola between 2008 and 2012, insisted that no other manager has matched the Spaniard’s tactical mind or his unique approach to preparation.
“Without a doubt, he is the best coach I’ve ever had,” Messi continued. “He has something special — the way he sees every match, how he prepares for it, and how he communicates the strategy to us.”
Messi went on to clarify that Guardiola’s “harm” came from making football look deceptively easy, leading others to mimic his tactics without truly understanding them.
“Later I found many ‘Guardiolas’ out there, and you realise what we did and what that was… it was special!” he added.
Messi’s remarks serve as both a glowing tribute and a subtle warning — highlighting how Guardiola’s brilliance changed football forever, but also how his influence led to a flood of copycat managers chasing an unattainable standard.
Leave a Reply