Lionel Messi reached new heights under Pep Guardiola and insists the Manchester City boss is the best coach around - irrespective of some of his Champions League shortfalls

Lionel Messi has hailed Pep Guardiola as the best there is and rubbished the notion that not winning the Champions League more regularly should go against the Manchester City boss.

It was under the Catalan at Barcelona that Messi became the world's greatest player, winning four successive Ballon d'Ors. Together they won the European Cup twice and dominated Spanish football before Guardiola went on to take on new challenges.

The City boss replaced Frank Rijkaard having enjoyed a stellar playing career and quickly converted that brilliance to the dugout. He won the treble in his debut season with a team that bo

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