Messi: I don't have any relationship with Guardiola
The prolific Barcelona forward no longer has any
special bond with the current Bayern Munich boss, while he stresses that
his feud with Luis Enrique has been resolved
The 27-year-old developed into one of the best players in the world under Guardiola's guidance between 2008 and 2012, winning numerous individual and team accolades in the process, including two Champions League titles and three Primera Division crowns.
Messi was the star man for Guardiola's team but the Argentine has made it clear that they no longer maintain such a close bond.
"We had a great time when Pep was here. We won a lot of titles and I grew a lot – that was the time when I grew most as a footballer," Messi told the media.
"We had a fantastic relationship when he was here. I have seen him a few times since he left but we don’t have any kind of relationship now.
"Guardiola knows us, he knows us all well. We were lucky enough to win a lot of titles with him. Based on what Guardiola meant to the club in his time as coach, I think he will get a good welcome. He gave a lot to the club and he is from here, but I think the fans will support the club and want us to win the game."
The forward then went on to stress that he does not have any problems with Luis Enrique after falling out with the coach earlier this season.
The Argentina international had a heated argument with the 44-year-old during a training session at the start of 2015 and was then benched for a league match against Real Sociedad. Their relationship consequently seemed to be beyond repair but the prolific forward is admaant that the situation has been resolved.
"I have said before that what happened happened but, since then, there haven’t been any problems at all," he declared.
"How does Luis Enrique compare to Guardiola? Some things are different. Pep has his way of doing things. Both coaches treat the players well and treat them equally."
Barcelona were beaten 7-0 by Bayern on aggregate when they last met in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2012-13 but Messi intends for there to be no repeat of that tie.
"It is an important game for everything that it represents," the Argentine remarked. "It's a semi-final. We remember the game two years ago, of course, but this is a completely different game to the one two years ago.
"I don't know who the favourite is. I don't think there is one. Both sides have great players that are used to playing these games. Of course, it's important to get a good result at home. We always play to win and we want to go into the return leg with a good result."
Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have already scored over 100 goals in all competitions for Barcelona this term but the Argentine is not ready to call them the best forward line of which he has ever been a aprt.
Asked if the current trio are the best, Messi replied: "I have been lucky enough to play with some great players. I enjoy the players I'm playing with today but I can't say if it's the best front three.
"We understand each other well on and off the pitch but I have had great team-mates alongside me in attack in other forward lines as I have today.
"When you have players of the characteristics of Neymar and Luis, that makes things a lot easier. We have a good relationship on and off the pitch. Luis adapted really quickly to the dressing room and that has helped things work out well for us."
