The Two Coaches Who Transformed Messi into the Icon He Has Become

 The Two Coaches Who Transformed Messi into the Icon He Has Become

Reflecting on Lionel Messi’s remarkable 21-year career at both the club and international levels, two coaches emerge as particularly influential: Pep Guardiola and Lionel Scaloni. Each played a crucial role in different stages of Messi’s development, guiding him from a talented young player to a footballing legend.

                          Messi enjoyed the golden period of his career under GuardiolaAFP

Pep Guardiola: The Architect of a Golden Era

Between 2008 and 2012, Pep Guardiola led FC Barcelona during a period that is now regarded as one of the most successful in the history of club football. With Messi as a central figure, alongside other greats like Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, Guardiola crafted a "dream team" that captivated audiences worldwide with its elegance and precision. Under Guardiola's mentorship, Messi blossomed into the global icon he is recognized as today. The tactical approach known as "tiki-taka" transformed the game, with Messi excelling at its core.

In an interview on the show Simply Football with former Argentine defender Quique Wolff, Messi remarked,

“Pep Guardiola is from another planet. He’s different. He sees things others don’t. He changed football.”

Now at the helm of Manchester City, Guardiola's impact continues to resonate throughout the sport. Despite a recent season that has not met expectations—marked by an early exit from the Champions League Round of 16 and a significant points deficit to league leaders Liverpool—his status as one of the greatest coaches in history remains unchallenged.

Lionel Scaloni: The Man Who Brought Glory to Argentina

While Guardiola was instrumental in shaping Messi's club career, Lionel Scaloni played a transformative role in his international journey.

                                                                  scaloni  @ guardiola

After Argentina’s disappointing exit from the 2018 World Cup, Scaloni took over as head coach during a time of crisis. The team needed a rebuild. Veterans were aging out, and a new generation was just starting to emerge. Scaloni, relatively unknown and unproven at the time, managed to unite and reinvigorate the squad.

“In the beginning, it was hard,” Messi recalled. “We had to start everything over again.”

But Scaloni’s intelligence, calm leadership, and strategic planning paid off. Under his guidance, Argentina won the Copa América in 2021—Messi’s first major trophy with the national team. That was followed by victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and another Copa América title in 2024. The team also claimed the 2022 Finalissima against European champions Italy.

                            Scaloni is enjoying a wonderful experience alongside Messi. Twitter

Messi praised the transformation, saying,

“After the 2019 Copa América, we started to unite. Even though we lost to Brazil, we played better football. The match could have gone differently. That’s when we felt like something had been taken from us.”

The confidence grew with each victory. Scaloni didn’t just lead the team—he built a family.

“He supported the players and did everything necessary,” said Messi. “To be honest, it was amazing.”

A Legacy of Two Leaders

While Guardiola gave Messi the tactical framework and stage to shine at club level, it was Scaloni who brought him emotional fulfillment with the national team. Together, these two coaches shaped the legend of Lionel Messi—one with vision, the other with belief.

And in Messi’s own words, the journey with both has been nothing short of extraordinary.