Lionel Messi names his six favourite teammates from his career

Lionel Messi has named his six favourite teammates, giving praise to some of the very best he played with in his stunning career.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner took part in an in-depth interview with Fernando Polo in Mundo Deportivo and reflected on his time at Barcelona, where he scored a ridiculous 672 goals in 778 games.

Messi who currently plays for Major League Soccer(MLS) with Inter Miami said that he had a wonderful period at Barca, Messi picked Pep Guardiola and Ronaldinho as the two individuals who had the most impact on him.

In addition to Ronaldinho, who took him under his wing in the early days, Messi proceeded to give props to former colleagues Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, as well as his Inter Miami pals Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

Messi signed off remembering the late Tito Vilanova, Barca’s former coach who passed away aged 45 a decade ago.

“Guardiola and Ronaldinho are the persons who left the biggest mark on me in Barcelona,” Messi said.

“Pep, because he was my coach for many years, and we achieved incredible things we could have never imagined.

“And Ronaldinho, because of the way he welcomed me, how he helped me, and how much that meant to me during my first moments with the first team.

“I also remember Iniesta and Xavi a lot as teammates, as well as the three who play with me here in Miami, who are also friends. And, of course, a special mention for Tito Vilanova, whom we miss so much.”

He added: “As a Barca player, you can never settle for being second or not winning, because the members and the fans demand the most from you.

“Being the best club in the world entails a very high demand. I would love to see Barca win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and also the Champions League again. And in the years that it is not possible, at least compete until the last moment.”

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