Sport
Messi Reveals Guardiola and Ronaldinho Had a Huge Impact on His Barcelona Career
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has credited Pep Guardiola and Ronaldinho as two of the most influential figures in his career during his time at Barcelona.
Reflecting on his journey at the iconic La Liga club, Messi shared how these two legends shaped his path, both on and off the pitch.
Messi made his debut for Barcelona in 2004, stepping onto the field alongside some of football’s greatest players.
At that time, Ronaldinho, the Brazilian magician, was a key figure at the club. Known for his dazzling skills and infectious smile, Ronaldinho played more than just the role of a teammate.
He became a mentor to a young Messi, guiding him through the challenges of breaking into the first team.
Messi often speaks fondly of how Ronaldinho welcomed him into the squad, supported him during his early days, and created an environment where he could thrive.
Years later, Messi reached new heights under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, who took over as Barcelona’s head coach in 2008.
Guardiola revolutionized the team with his innovative tactics, introducing the famous “tiki-taka” style of play that dominated European football.
Under his leadership, Messi became virtually unstoppable, breaking records and winning numerous trophies, including two Champions League titles.
When asked to name the people who left the greatest impact on his time at Barcelona, Messi mentioned Guardiola for the incredible success they achieved together, saying, “We accomplished things we never thought were possible.”
He also praised Ronaldinho for his warmth and guidance, recalling, “He helped me a lot during my first moments in the first team.”
Pep Guardiola has chosen Bernardo Silva as Manchester City’s new captain, handing the midfielder the armband without putting it to a team vote. Silva steps into the role following the exit of Kevin De Bruyne, whose contract with City recently expired. Guardiola also named Ruben Dias, Rodri, and Erling Haaland as the team’s new vice-captains for the upcoming season.
Silva’s current contract runs out next summer, meaning his time as captain could be short if no new deal is signed. Though he’s turned down multiple transfer offers in recent windows, interest in the Portuguese playmaker remains strong, with clubs from Saudi Arabia and former side Benfica still keen on him.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons are set to face long-time rivals Ghana’s Black Princesses in a friendly match as part of their build-up to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Coach Justine Madugu’s team also has a second friendly lined up against Portugal, which will be played on Monday, June 23.
The clash with Ghana will take place in Morocco, where the Black Princesses are already camped in Benslimane for their final round of preparations. Meanwhile, the Super Falcons will travel to Portugal later this week to begin their own final training phase ahead of the tournament.
Nigeria is in Group B, where they will take on Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. Ghana, on the other hand, will compete in Group C alongside defending champions South Africa, Mali, and Tanzania.
Real Madrid might be without Kylian Mbappe for their Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal on Wednesday, as the forward is currently down with an illness. Mbappe missed training ahead of the match, and new manager Xabi Alonso says a final decision will be made on game day.
“Kylian felt a bit better this morning, but not well enough just yet,” Alonso said. “We’ll wait till tomorrow morning to make the call.” Madrid could also be missing key players Antonio Rudiger and Eduardo Camavinga.
“Rudiger gave everything this season. I’m not sure he’ll be in the squad, but he’s recovering fast and should be back first. Camavinga is getting better too, but he still needs some time,” Alonso added. Alonso is set to take charge of Madrid for the first time, but injuries and illness may leave him without some of his top stars.
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