Pep Guardiola Crowns Lionel Messi the GOAT, But Acknowledges Pele and Diego Maradona 1b5f67

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reignited the age-old debate over the greatest footballer of all time, declaring Lionel Messi as the “best ever.”

The former Barcelona boss, who coached Messi during his peak years at the Catalan club, offered his full endorsement of the Argentine superstar.

Guardiola’s praise comes as no surprise given the pair’s shared history and the unparalleled success they achieved together.

During Guardiola’s tenure at Barcelona, Messi became one of the most feared attackers in the world, breaking countless records and winning multiple Ballon d’Or awards.

Guardiola Crowns Messi The GOAT 4fd6s

While Guardiola acknowledges that his opinion might be seen as disrespectful to other football legends like Pelé and Diego Maradona, he firmly believes that Messi’s achievements and unique abilities set him apart.

The City manager described Messi as a once-in-a-generation player, comparing him to sporting icons like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan.

Speaking to Italian TV show Che Tempo, Che Fa, Guardiola said, “For me, it’s easy to say he’s the best of all time, but the stars came together at the right moment.

“The GOAT? Maybe that’s a lack of respect to Pele and [Diego] Maradona, but for me, he is. I’ve never seen someone like him as a coach; you can’t imagine him maintaining this continuity for 15-20 years.

“When you see him up close, you think of Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan; we were lucky to work with him.”

Pep is certain that Messi is his GOAT 🐐 pic.twitter.com/iFB0qg3fED

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 15, 2024

Messi, now 37, continues to defy expectations at Inter Miami in the MLS. His ongoing success, combined with Guardiola’s glowing endorsement, further solidifies his claim to the GOAT title.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s longtime rival, is also still playing at the age of 39 for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

As the debate over the greatest footballer of all time rages on, Guardiola’s declaration adds another layer to the discussion. While Messi’s achievements are undeniable, the legacies of Pelé and Maradona will undoubtedly continue to be debated for years to come.