"The best player in Barcelona history says this" - Hansi Flick admits feeling 'honored' following recent Lionel Messi praise

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has responded to Lionel Messi's recent comments praising the club's impressive form and the youngsters' performances this season. The German tactician has transformed the Catalan side since his arrival this season, recording 14 wins in 17 games across competitions.

In an interview with Catalunya Radio, Lionel Messi heaped praises on La Masia graduates and their impressive form this season. Flick's side features multiple academy talents, including Lamine Yamal, Marc Casado, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde and Gavi. Messi said (via All About Argentina):

“I see Flick's Barcelona as spectacular, and it doesn’t surprise me because this isn’t something new it’s been happening forever. I think it’s spectacular that the young players have been getting opportunities over the past couple of years."

"When they’re given opportunities and confidence, they respond like this because they know the club better than anyone, and they’ve been accustomed to playing this way since they were kids."

Shortly after Messi's comments, Hansi Flick thanked the former Blaugrana legend for his words, and responded (via Barca Universal):

"Messi praising me and the team? It's an honor that the best player in Barcelona's history says this about me, and the team follows how they play, and the youngsters too. It means a lot to us."

Lionel Messi himself hails for Barca's famed youth academy, La Masia, which he joined at 13 years of age. The Argentine legend went on to become the greatest Blaugrana legend of all time, recording 778 appearances for the club in 17 years (2004-2021).

He contributed 672 goals and 303 assists across competitions and won 35 titles with his boyhood side. These include four Champions League titles, 10 LaLiga titles and seven Copas del Rey among others.

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"I miss our life there a lot" - Lionel Messi speaks about returning to life at Barcelona

Messi - Source: Getty

In his recent interview with Catalunya Radio, Lionel Messi recalled his life while playing at Barcelona and expressed his desire to return there one day. He said (via Fabrizio Romano on X):

"My kids were born here. I’ve spent my whole life living there. I feel I belong to Barcelona. My family and I always think about the possibility of returning to live there one day. My children, my wife and I miss our life there a lot. We miss our friends."

Lionel Messi was forced to leave Barcelona in 2021 after the Catalan side was unable to renew his contract. This was reportedly due to LaLiga's Financial Fair Play rules and the club's poor economic state at that time. La Pulga joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as a free agent, before moving to Inter Miami in 2023.

The Argentine legend was linked to a return to Barca in the summer of 2023 but it did not materialize due to the club's recurring financial woes. Since his departure, Messi has always expressed a desire to return to his boyhood side to say goodbye to fans.