Guardiola Has Changed Barcelona - Messi

Lionel Messi believes that many things have changed at Barcelona since Pep Guardiola took over, but none more so than the results that the team have produced.

With the Blaugrana sitting ten points clear at the top of the league the contrast to last term is stark and the Argentinian has been impressed with the new coach.

During a trip to Uzbekistan, as part of a deal that Catalan club have with the country's football association, Messi said he was pleased with the way things were going at Camp Nou, but also praised Frank Rijkaard.

"Guardiola has changed Barça. His arrival has seen the team improve, but Rijkaard was also a great coach," he stated.

"The main difference is in the results that we have had in recent years. In the last few months they did not arrive under Rijkaard but the team is almost the same as it has been for two years.

"The victories are what make the difference and thankfully we are now enjoying a few."

Despite their lead at the top of la Primera, Messi does not want Barcelona to become complacent when the league resumes in the New Year.

"Just behind us are some very good teams like Valencia, Villarreal, Sevilla and Real Madrid and at any moment they could push up. We have to continue in the same way and not rely on our points advantage," he added.

Messi has been a candidate for various player of the year prizes and has not won any, but he admits that personal trophies do not mean anything to him.

"It does not worry that I have not won an award because it is more important to me that Barça do well and that we obtain collective success," he explained.

"Individual awards are nothing to do with me, but if Barça conitnue to win then all the players will hve more chance of receiving recognition."

Lucas Brown, Goal.com