5 of the best Player-Manager combinations of all time in football

#5 Lionel Messi-Pep Guardiola

Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola are the greatest manager-player combo of this generation

Guardiola possesses a brilliant football mind and got the opportunity to work with Messi, one of the finest footballers of all time. Those two demonstrated the perfect implementation of the football philosophy firmly rooted in La Masia, Barcelona’s football academy.

Barcelona conquered Europe twice in the space of three years, beating Manchester United in the final on both the occasions. They also won the LaLiga thrice under Guardiola.

Guardiola also made Messi play as a false 9 for the first time. In that arrangement, Messi started out as the centre-forward but fell back to the midfield frequently to retrieve the ball and dictate the play from there.

It also made things difficult for the opposition defenders as they were not sure whether to follow Messi or stay back. Barcelona had brilliant footballers like Xavi and Andres Iniesta in their team, but Messi evolved as the best player in the world under Guardiola’s tutelage.

Those two also made Barcelona the premier club team in the world and Guardiola’s legacy still lives on with the Catalan giants.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Debjyoti Samanta