Every football conversations right now are probably filled with the latest Lionel Messi news.
Why not? The Barcelona star has just proven to the world that he is among the best in the industry again after a championship-less 2013-14 season and slump at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Argentinian superstar steered his team into the finals of UEFA Champions League as he scored two stunning goals during the first leg.
Lionel Messi failed to score in 2nd leg and his team eventually lost. However, his performance last week is enough for some of his colleagues to think he is the best player in the world right now.
His former coach and opponent's manager Pep Guardiola has a completely different view. For him, the pint-sized player that tormented his Bayern is not one of the best. He is the best of all time.
"Messi is just incredible, really strong, really fast, back to his best just as when I used to train him," Guardiola said of Lionel Messi who he coached for four seasons. "He is the best player of all time. I can compare him with Pele."
With Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Guardiola won three La Liga trophies and two Champions League. In total, he had 14 championships with the Camp Nou-based club.
"I am very proud of the years we spent together."
Lionel Messi is not the only one who caught Pep Guardiola's eyes during the Barcelona-Bayern Munich tie. Even Neymar and Luis Suarez who teamed up for two goals in the 2nd leg to dash his team's hopes of advancing to the finals.
"The only way you can stop players like that front three, you have to force them to run more. When Barcelona have the ball, they are very strong, there is nothing you can do about that.
"In the Camp Nou we didn't play that well, we gave them this big chance. We have to have more presence in the penalty area, we had to get more balls in. Barcelona deserved to get into the final.
"I'm satisfied with the performance of my team... we needed this balance in the Camp Nou, didn't have it."
