Pep Guardiola calls Lionel Messi the best player of all time

Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola worked together at Barcelona

Former Barcelona and current Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola praised Lionel Messi and compared him to the legendary Brazilian, Pele. He called the Argentinian the best player of all time.

After being beaten by an aggregate score of 5-3 in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, Pep admitted that he hoped Barcelona go on to lift the trophy.

“He is the best player of all time, I compare him with Pele,” Pep Guardiola said.

“I hope Barca win their fifth Champions League final.”

Despite being accused of tax fraud last season, Messi has bounced back strongly having scored 53 goals so far, 9 more than the previous campaign. The 44-year-old Bayern manager said that Messi “is back” and called managing him “a privilege”.

“He is back, he is there where I had the privilege to train him. He is definitely back at his best,” admitted Pep.

Messi worked under Pep for four seasons at Barcelona (2008-2012), where he won a historic 14 trophies.

It is our mission to win the treble: Enrique

Current manager Luis Enrique talked about the possibility of Barcelona repeating the treble they won under Pep Guardiola as Barca require 1 win from their 2 remaining La Liga matches while having qualified for the final in the Copa del Rey as well as the Champions League.

A win in each tournament would see Barcelona do the treble.

“It's a great achievement to reach the final,” said the 45-year-old manager who replaced Tata Martino last summer.

“We're one win away from winning each of the three competitions. This is our mission. This is what it means to be part of Barca.

“I am very satisfied with the performance of my players, the whole team deserved the victory and we have to enjoy this.”