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.

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Lionel Messi is unquestionably a club and country winner due to his exceptional talent. He is considered the best footballer of all time for the enviable accomplishments he has attained.

Messi won all of the major football trophies and awards at the age of 35, but he hasn’t yet claimed one award which is the Golden Foot award.

The Argentine captain won’t care as much about missing out on this honour as he can still enjoy his nation’s incredible World Cup victory with his fellow citizens. He also doesn’t require the honour to make a point.

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• What is The Golden Foot Award?

Journalists vote for the best player of the year to receive this honour. To qualify for the reward, you must be older than 28. You can only win it once.

Since the Golden Foot award’s inception 20 years ago, players like Robert Lewandowski, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, and many others have won it.

The award that is currently held by Lewandowski is absent from Messi’s historic trophy cabinet.

In addition, Messi has a chance to secure the title next year when PSG begins their challenge in January in other to add it to his award cabinet.

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Brazilian retired professional footballer Ronaldo de Assis Moreira commonly known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho has revealed his favourite footballer from Belgium.

Barcelona legend, Ronaldinho has picked Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne as his favourite Belgian player.

Ronaldinho said this while speaking about the qualities Roberto Martinez’s side possesses ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

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The Brazil legend took the time to praise De Bruyne, saying (via Voetbul Nieuws):

“De Bruyne is my favourite Red Devil. I love his style. Okay, he’s not a dribbler like Eden Hazard, but he has great technique. He is a great player.”

For Man City, De Bruyne has had a fantastic start to the year. In his first ten games for Pep Guardiola’s team, the former Chelsea star has eight assists.

Since his international debut in 2010, he has been a vital part of the Belgian national team.

The City midfielder has 92 international appearances under his belt and 25 goals, but he hasn’t won a championship with the Red Devils yet. Time is running out for a side many deem to be Belgian’s ‘golden generation’ to achieve World Cup glory.

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