Lionel Messi has named his six favourite teammates, giving praise to some of the very best he played with in his stunning career.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner took part in an in-depth interview with Fernando Polo in Mundo Deportivo and reflected on his time at Barcelona, where he scored a ridiculous 672 goals in 778 games.
Messi joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old and has a 21-year association with the Blaugrana, who are celebrating their 125th anniversary as a club.
Messi currently plies his trade in the MLS with Inter Miami, who recently appointed his former Argentina and Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano as the managerial replacement for Tata Martino.
And in remembering his wonderful period at Barca, Messi picked Pep Guardiola and Ronaldinho as the two individuals who had the most impact on him.
In addition to Ronaldinho, who took him under his wing in the early days, Messi proceeded to give props to former colleagues Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, as well as his Inter Miami pals Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Messi signed off remembering the late Tito Vilanova, Barca’s former coach who passed away aged 45 a decade ago.
“Guardiola and Ronaldinho are the persons who left the biggest mark on me in Barcelona,” Messi said.
“Pep, because he was my coach for many years, and we achieved incredible things we could have never imagined.
“And Ronaldinho, because of the way he welcomed me, how he helped me, and how much that meant to me during my first moments with the first team.
“I also remember Iniesta and Xavi a lot as teammates, as well as the three who play with me here in Miami, who are also friends. And, of course, a special mention for Tito Vilanova, whom we miss so much.”
Lionel Messi spoke fondly about his former Barcelona teammates. Image: Getty
Messi told Barcelona’s fans that he misses them “very much” and is hopeful of seeing them soon. And he also harbours hopes that Barca can return to winning ways again under Hansi Flick.
The Catalan outfit have won just one La Liga title since Messi but are currently four points clear of Real Madrid at the top as the halfway stage approaches.
He added: “As a Barca player, you can never settle for being second or not winning, because the members and the fans demand the most from you.
“Being the best club in the world entails a very high demand. I would love to see Barca win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and also the Champions League again. And in the years that it is not possible, at least compete until the last moment.”
