Pep Guardiola's Greatest XI of all time

Striker - Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola credit each other for the success they achieved

Was there ever any doubt? Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the greatest player to have played under Guardiola. Both manager and player hold each other in high regard for the success they achieved together and later as well.

Now, Messi could easily have been placed in his usual right-wing role. However, one of the biggest reasons for Messi's incredible goalscoring record was the switch to the false 9 position and this happened under Guardiola.

Messi dazzled further the world and constantly scored 30+ goals in the league while popularising the false 9 role. Widely regarded as the greatest player of his generation, his acceleration, close control, dribbling ability and devastating end-product saw him win four Ballon d'Or trophies between 2009-2012.

The diminutive Argentine holds innumerable records and has won 30 trophies so far with Barcelona. He reached two Copa America finals and a World Cup final with Argentina as well but is yet to win an international tournament.

Nevertheless, his club records are the stuff of legends. Thus, Lionel Messi rounds off Pep's greatest XI by leading the line.