Bayern's Pep Guardiola: Lionel Messi is the best player of all time
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says that Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is the best soccer player of all-time.
Guardiola praised Messi after Barcelona eliminated Bayern Munich 5-3 on aggregate in the Champions League semifinal on Tuesday.
“He is the best player of all time,” Guardiola said after the match, according to the Guardian. “I compare him with Pelé. I am so happy to see this football.
“He is back, he is there where I had the privilege to train him,” Guardiola added. “He is definitely back at his best.”
Messi and Guardiola were together for four years during Guardiola’s tenure as Barcelona’s manager. The two helped lead Barcelona to two Champions League title in that time.
Messi, Suárez, Neymar lead Barcelona by Bayern to Champions League final
"I am very proud of the years we spent together,” Guardiola said.
Barcelona will now face the winner of Juventus or Real Madrid, who play in the Madrid leg of the semifinal on Wednesday. The final will be held June 6 at Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany.
“When Barça have the ball they are extremely strong. I hope in Berlin they can win the fifth European Cup,” Guardiola said. “We tried everything but we had a lot of problems [with injuries] and when you play with so many problems for two months and the players keep charging forward then the team deserves a big compliment.”
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