So Pep:
1. completely changed his training habits which resulted in him not being injured for half of every season like he was under Frank R.
2. Completely changed his diet, helping him to have longevity in the game.
3. Completely changed his position, allowing him to score A LOT more goals
4. Decided to build the team around him by jettisoning the king of Barca at the time Ronaldinho, plus Deco and a bunch of others deemed surplus to requirements.
Yeah, absolutely did nothing for him and had no impact on his career whatsoever, I can see that now.......
Look, I don’t know if you’re a Messi fan; I’ve noticed that his (and Ronaldo’s) acolytes can be a little weird in their defence of these people that they’ve never met. But it’s ok to accept that Pep had a major influence on his career (and that this is a credit to Pep’s coaching), it’s not a slight on Lionel.
1. that’s an outright and complete lie. Messi was never injured for half a season under Rijkaad.
2. stop with this diet stuff honestly. It’s fishing to the extreme. Players have shit eating and training habits at a young age. It’s normal. The people around them are supposed to change it.
3. completely changed his position? Yes I do recall Messi being left back under Rijkaard. Thank feck for Pep possessing the foresight to change him to an attacker/left sided forward .
4. For sure. Incredible foresight again to build your team around the player who every tom, dick and Harry at Barca had pencilled in as a generational talent.
5. I didn’t actually say Pep did nothing for him. I took exception to you saying “
Also fair to say that Messi might not be the player that he is today without Pep”.
I can’t stress it enough, this is one of the most stupid comments I’ve ever read on here. (And last week I saw someone say Fred is as good as Kante)
Messi has had a near 15 reign as one of the best footballers in the world and you think that might not have happened because for three years Pep told him to stop drinking Irn Bru and eating dib dabs. I can use hyperbole too...
6. the absolute irony of you trying to pass this off as extreme fandom on my part
For what it’s worth, no I’m not a “Messi fan” in the sense you’re implying.
I just find it completely idiotic to claim the greatest player of all time somehow wouldn’t have become just that if it wasn’t for Pep Guardiola.
Have you seen the goals and things Messi has done over the years? Go and re watch and tell us how these might not have happened if not for Pep Guardiola.