Lionel Messi, the legendary Barcelona player, recently revealed his two favorite memories from his time at the club. Messi, who is considered the best player in Barcelona’s history, highlighted winning the sextuple under Pep Guardiola and the UEFA Champions League trophy under Luis Enrique as his most cherished moments.
Messi, who came through Barcelona’s academy, had the privilege of playing under iconic managers like Guardiola and Enrique. In an interview with Sport, Messi was asked to pick a favorite memory from his illustrious career at Barcelona. He mentioned, “It’s hard to keep one. Thank God I was lucky to live many moments. I don’t know, generally when we talk about happiness we go to the titles, to the achievements, to the important things we have achieved. But the first sextet with Guardiola was extraordinary, the last Champions League with Luis Enrique too. I don’t know, it’s hard to stay with a moment.”
Barcelona achieved the sextuple under Guardiola in the 2008-09 season, which included winning the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga title, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de EspaƱa, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. Additionally, in the 2014-15 season, the Spanish giants secured the treble under Luis Enrique by clinching the Champions League, LaLiga, and Copa del Rey.
In another interview with La Sexta, Messi praised both Guardiola and Enrique for their role in his development as a player. He stated, “I was lucky enough to be coached by Guardiola and Luis Enrique for such a long time – the two best coaches. Having them so close together made me improve so much in a footballing sense and in terms of tactical awareness.” Messi also showered praise on Guardiola, mentioning, “He (Guardiola) has something special about him. He makes you see things in a certain way in terms of how he prepares for games, both defensively and going forward. He could tell you exactly how the match is going and how you have to attack to win.”
During his time under Guardiola, Messi played 219 games, scoring 211 goals and providing 94 assists, contributing to Barcelona’s 14 trophies. Under Luis Enrique, Messi played 158 games, scoring 153 goals, providing 76 assists, and winning nine major trophies.
Overall, Messi’s journey at Barcelona was filled with remarkable achievements and unforgettable moments, thanks to the guidance of top-notch managers like Guardiola and Enrique. Messi’s legacy at Barcelona will forever be etched in the history books, showcasing his unparalleled talent and dedication to the club.
The article has been curated and edited by Aditya Singh.
