Having managed Lionel Messi at Barcelona for several years, Pep Guardiola perhaps needs no reminding of how crucial he was to his success.
Guardiola backed Messi as well as Erling Haaland to win the Ballon d’Or in 2023 instead of merely vouching for the latter because he plays for his Manchester City side.
It was reported in August that Messi almost signed for Manchester City in 2020, with Pep Guardiola even discussing a possible move with him.
Erling Haaland singled Messi out as the greatest player to have ever graced the game.
The Inter Miami’s star impact on football knows no bounds.
While Barcelona had several world-class players in Pep Guardiola’s side, Messi was a class above the rest.
- READ MORE: Lionel Messi suggests something bad has happened in football just because of Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola compares Rodri’s importance at Man City to Lionel Messi’s at Barcelona
Messi hailed Guardiola as the best manager in the world after Manchester City won the treble last year.
However, the 37-year-old was the fulcrum of his great Blaugrana side.
Ahead of his side’s upcoming clash against Tottenham Hotspur, Pep Guardiola has compared how important Rodri is to his Manchester City side to that of Messi during his time at Barcelona.
Guardiola said via HaytersTV: We are less strong. With him, we are better and with Kevin [De Bruyne], we are better and with Kyle Walker, we are better and with Oscar [Bobb] and all the people now with long injuries, we are better.”
“But what I said, now he has to recover well in the next season and we have to handle the team game by game and try to win games.”
“Imagine in any sports, in basketball, Golden State Warriors play without Stephen Curry or Barcelona in their prime play without [Lionel] Messi.”
The Catalan continued to discuss the £62.5 million man: “So, they should be different. They should be less strong. It’s the same with us. Rodri is irreplaceable, we know it and the players [know it] and we have to move on.”
“What can I say? Kova’s [Mateo] playing there and Gundo’s [Ilkay Gundogan] playing there, they were exceptional and one day we play Manu [Manuel Akanji], we play John [Stones] in that position and I know they were playing good and this is what we have to do.”
Pep Guardiola lauded Rodri after he won the Ballon d’Or by finishing over Vinicius Jr.
Rodri admitted he wishes to heal from his ACL injury quickly but he realises that rushing his recovery would be counterproductive.
Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or has further stamped his status as a truly special player.
Phil Foden once said Rodri is Man City’s “most important player”
Phil Foden praised Rodri by claiming that he is the most key player in this Manchester City juggernaut in April this year.
Foden said last season: “Lost for words, this guy mate. He can do everything.”
“For me, yeah, [Rodri is the best defensive midfielder in the world), 100 per cent. He can do everything. He’s adding goals to his game, you see it in and around the box, he can dribble. I don’t see a weakness to his game, for me, he’s our most important player. When he doesn’t play, there’s a big difference.”
Considering the whole host of top players at City’s disposal, Foden’s admission supports Pep Guardiola’s argument.
Despite the Englishman being back in form at the time of his comments, he could not help but pay Rodri the ultimate compliment.
The Spaniard will likely appreciate being compared to an all-time great like Messi.
Such praise will perhaps only drive Rodri to remain motivated to return as quickly and in the best possible shape from his injury.
