Inter Miami veteran Lionel Messi has named Ronaldinho and Pep Guardiola the figures who made a major impact on his career.

Ronaldinho and Guardiola played major roles in Messi’s career, especially when he was young at Barcelona.

The Argentina star broke records, won trophies and became arguably the greatest player of all time.

Lionel Messi played with some of the greatest players and was coached by one of the greatest coaches. Photo by Cesar Rangel.
Source: Getty Images

Messi names his influences

Speaking to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Messi said Guardiola and Ronaldinho were vital early in his career but also mentioned some of his former teammates.

“I think there are two that have had a big impact on me for different reasons. Pep [Guardiola], because I had him as a coach for many years and we achieved incredible things that we would never have imagined,” he said via GOAL.

Guardiola and Messi won many trophies together, including two Champions League, three La Liga crowns and other cups, per BeIn Sports.

Messi also said Brazil icon Ronaldinho helped him when he broke into the Barcelona first team.

“Ronaldinho, because the way he welcomed me, how he helped me, was very useful to me in my first moments in the first team.”

The 2022 World Cup winner also thanks the late Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova, who died in 2014.

Messi reacts to MLS Cup exit

Messi’s team registered a 2-1 win in the first game of the best-of-three series against Atlanta United. However, Atlanta won the remaining two games to upset Messi.