Back to the Watford Newsfeed

Why Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola's desire to reunite makes sense after successes at Barcelona

The bloke in the crowd said it best, until Pep Guardiola said it better. In the midst of the noise around the Romareda, a collective murmur of incredulity, came a short and simple phrase that was just about audible and elicited the highest eulogy. It was March, a decade ago, and Lionel Messi had just scored his third goal against Real Zaragoza when, behind the Barcelona bench, someone in the stands spat out an expletive in disbelief. Guardiola heard it, turned and grinned, leaning on the bench as if he were at the bar. "Yep," he agreed, "if it wasn't for Messi, I'd be coaching in the second division.