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Strategist Pep Guardiola noted that impressive club results in recent years have been determined by the play of Lionel Messi.
This season, in 9 Spanish league matches, the Argentine already scored ten goals. Last season, he managed to beat opponents' goalkeepers in all competitions almost fifty times.
"Messi knows very well what we all, coaches and players, think about him," said Guardiola. "We are incredibly lucky to have such a player. Without him, we wouldn't have achieved what we have."
And he continued: "Lionel is an exceptional footballer. The statistics speak for themselves, and his team, led by him, is reaping victories. There are no matches where he doesn't create opportunities."
Messi is often compared to football legends such as Pele and Diego Maradona. According to Guardiola, his protégé is exceptional.
"I don't think in history there has been a footballer who could do what Lionel does every three days," said the Catalan strategist. "People buy tickets to see this unique forward on the field. For four years to compete so consistently, fight for every inch, maintain physical shape - I haven't seen anything like it."
