Manchester City Fans Get Excited After Lionel Messi Opens Up About Relationship With Pep Guardiola

Lionel Messi has been getting Manchester City fans excited after speaking glowingly about Pep Guardiola.

The two worked together for four years between 2008 and 2012, winning three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies.

In that glittering period, Messi scored an absurd 221 goals in 219 goals - assisting a further 91 goals for good measure.

Image: PA

It's been eight years since Guardiola left Barcelona for a sabbatical period but much the enjoyment of City fans, Messi has waxed lyrical over his former boss in a new interview.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner sat down with La Sexta's Jordi Évole for an hour-long chat that will be broadcast on December 27.

And in one section, he heaped praise on Guardiola and his managerial abilities.

"Pep [Guardiola] has something special," Messi said.

"He makes you see things in a wonderful way, how he prepares for games, how to defend, and how to attack.

"I was lucky to train under [Pep] Guardiola and Luis Enrique, the two best. Having them made me grow a lot physically and mentally, and also the tactical wisdom they've taught me."

A reunion between Messi and Guardiola was mooted in the summer when the Argentine handed in a transfer request and City appeared to be exploring the possibility of signing him.

However, it's now PSG that are being strongly linked with the 33-year-old - though Messi's most recent comments hint at him staying put at the Camp Nou.

"The truth is that today I'm fine," Messi told La Sexta, as per Catalunya Ràdio.

"It's true that I had a very bad time in the summer.

"It came from before. What happened before the summer, because of how the season ended, the burofax and all that ... Then I dragged it a bit at the beginning of the season.

"But today I'm fine and I feel like fighting seriously for everything that lies ahead, excited.

"And excited. I know that the club is going through a difficult time, at club level and team, and everything that surrounds Barcelona becomes difficult but I'm looking forward to it."

Messi, who has scored ten goals this term, is out of contract in June 2021.

Topics: Manchester City, Football News, FC Barcelona, Football, Pep Guardiola, Lionel Messi

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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