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Big impact on me — Messi names two most important people that helped him attain GOAT status
Football icon Lionel Messi has opened up about the two individuals who have left the deepest mark on his journey in the sport.
Now 37 and dazzling fans in the MLS with Inter Miami, Messi is widely hailed as one of the greatest players of all time. But even legends have their mentors and inspirations.
In a candid interview, the Argentine captain revealed that Pep Guardiola and Ronaldinho were the two figures who shaped his footballing path the most.
According to Give Me Sport, Messi praised Guardiola—his former coach at Barcelona—for completely changing the way he saw football. Under Pep’s guidance, Messi reached unprecedented heights, winning numerous titles and evolving into the phenomenon the world came to admire.
“Pep had a huge impact,” Messi said. “He was my coach for many years, and we achieved things together that we never imagined. He gave me a new perspective on the game.”
But before Pep came into the picture, it was the magic and warmth of Ronaldinho that guided a young Messi through his early days in Barcelona’s first team.
“Ronaldinho was crucial,” Messi shared. “The way he welcomed me, supported me—it meant a lot during my first steps with the senior squad. He even assisted my very first goal.”
Messi also took a moment to mention other important teammates and friends, including Andres Iniesta, Xavi, and his current Inter Miami colleagues Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez, all of whom have played vital roles on and off the pitch.
He also offered a heartfelt tribute to the late Tito Vilanova, calling him a deeply missed figure in his life and career.