Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has no doubt that Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time and his opinion would not change even if the forward had not guided Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar, the Spaniard said this week.
Messi scored two goals and again in the shootout as he led Argentina to an emotional 4-2 win on penalties over France on Sunday, with the final ending 3-3 after 120 minutes of breathtaking action.
The 35-year-old, who enjoyed a trophy-laden spell under Guardiola during their time at Barcelona, also won the Golden Ball award for the best player, with supporters saying his performance had further elevated his status.
“Everyone has [an] opinion but nobody can doubt that he’s there as the greatest of all time,” Guardiola told reporters before last night’s League Cup fourth-round clash against Liverpool.
“For me, he’s the best, it’s difficult to understand that a player can compete with what he’s done. The people who have seen Pele, Alfredo Di Stefano or Diego Maradona... the opinions are sentimental, but the other side, if he (Messi) wouldn’t have won the World Cup, the opinion and my opinion wouldn’t change."
Guardiola said City’s 16 players at the tournament would slowly return for club duty.
“Today, six players came back. They had an incredible, unique experience. Hopefully they come back and work well and in four years they can have another experience in Canada, Mexico and the US,” Guardiola said.
“The players who were at the World Cup are in better condition than the players who were here. Sergio (Gomez), Erling (Haaland), Riyad (Mahrez) and Cole (Palmer), they’re missing the rhythm a bit compared to Rodri or Manuel Akanji.
“I’m not concerned about March or April. Now every player has had different managers, a different competition ... we have an important game (in the Premier League) against Leeds (United). The January schedule is demanding so we want them back as soon as possible.”
Guardiola added that his spell at City “will not be complete” unless he wins the Champions League with the club. Guardiola, who signed a two-year contract extension last month, has guided City to four Premier League titles but failed to win Europe’s elite club competition with them, a runners-up finish in 2020-21 their best result.
He won the trophy twice with Barcelona, in the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons. “It’s not the only one but I admit it’s the trophy we want and my period here will not be complete if we don’t win it.
“But that’s not the only reason (I signed). I will do everything in the time we have together to win it but I’d say the same before (signing). It’s the trophy we don’t have and we’ll try to do it. I have the feeling they (City) will get it sooner or later."
City, who are second in the Premier League and trail leaders Arsenal by five points, travel to Leeds United in the league on December 28.
Premier League Fixtures on December 26:
Brentford v Tottenham, (2.30pm); Southampton v Brighton; Leicester City v Newcastle; Crystal Palace v Fulham; Everton v Wolves (all 5pm); Aston Villa v Liverpool (7.30pm); Arsenal v West Ham (10pm).
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