Messi Accuses Guardiola of "Somewhat Harming" Football

Messi and Guardiola

Messi said that "Guardiola is from another world, he sees things that no one else does."

Argentine star Lionel Messi accused Spanish coach Pep Guardiola of "somewhat harming" football. Messi made this accusation in an interview on the ESPN YouTube show "Simple Football."

Messi said that the former Barcelona coach and current Manchester City manager, "Pep Guardiola is from another world. He's different, he sees things that no one else does." The current Inter Miami star added that Guardiola "changed football."

Messi pointed to the significant influence Guardiola had on football and football teams, noting that they now try to imitate him. The Argentine star continued, "In fact, he (Guardiola) harmed football somewhat," but added, "Because other clubs tried to play like Barcelona."

He explained, "But we (Barcelona) were a special team. The midfield included Xavi, Busquets, and Iniesta. Everything was perfect between the players and the coach." It's worth noting that Messi played for Barcelona under Guardiola between 2008 and 2012, one of the most successful periods in the Catalan club's football history, during which the team won the Champions League twice, in 2009 and 2011.