"To win in Madrid, we need to be protagonists" - Lionel Messi on how Guardiola introduced Barcelona to the false nine the day before El Clasico
Former Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi explained how the Catalan giants' then-coach Pep Guardiola introduced his side to 'false-nine' the day before a massive El Clasico against Real Madrid. The new tactics introduced by the Spaniard worked and his side demolished their eternal rivals 6-2, with the Argentine forward scoring a brace.
Fellow frontman and Arsenal icon Thierry Henry also scored a brace while the other two goals were scored by centre-backs Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique. Four of the six goals were assisted by legendary midfielder Xavi and one by Messi.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or, who turns 37 today (June 24), recalled Barcelona's pre-match training session and Guardiola's revolutionary 'false-nine' tactic. Speaking on the Clank! podcast, he said (via @AlbicelesteTalk on X):
"I found out about the false nine the day before the match. That afternoon at the training ground, Pep told me, 'I want to play with a false 9, so the central defenders won't have a reference point and you'll be one more in the middle of the field. To win in Madrid, we need to have possession, be protagonists."
"'If we want to win, we have to be far superior to them. I want you to come back into midfield, link up with Busi [Sergio Busquets], Xavi, and Andres [Iniesta]. If their central defenders come out, we have Samuel [Eto'o] and Titi [Thierry Henry] who will run into space.' And well, that's how we did it... haha," added Messi.
Messi and Guardiola won two Champions League titles, two FIFA Club World Cups, three La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey titles and many more trophies together at Barcelona. Under the 53-year-old's tutelage, the Argentine icon won four back-to-back Ballon d'Or titles from 2009 to 2012.
Lionel Messi recalls how he convinced then-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola to allow him to feature in the Olympics
Former Barcelona forward Lionel Messi recalled how he convinced then-manager Pep Guardiola to allow him to represent Argentina at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Speaking on the Clank! podcast, the Argentine, who now plies his trade for Inter Miami in the MLS, said (via @AlbicelesteTalk on X):
"When Pep arrived, we had just started training and there was some buzz about whether I would go to the Olympics or stay. We had to qualify for the Champions League no matter what. I looked unhappy during training because I wanted to go to the Olympics and he noticed."
Recalling Guardiola's reaction, the 37-year-old added:
"He's very smart, nothing escapes him. He got to know me quickly, I'm transparent. He said to me, 'Don't worry, we will qualify for the Champions League. Go, win the Games, and come back; it's going to be a long year and we'll enjoy it.'"