'We did it' - Pep Guardiola fires back at claims he only won at Barcelona 'because of Lionel Messi' after years of domination with Man City

Guardiola began his managerial career at Barcelona in 2008, making an immediate impact in his debut season. Under his guidance, the team secured every available title, including La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League, completing a historic treble. During his four-year tenure, Guardiola led the Catalan giants to 14 trophies, cementing their dominance in European football.

Messi played a pivotal role in this golden era, thriving under Guardiola’s tactical system. The Argentine forward scored an astonishing 211 goals and provided 94 assists in 219 appearances during Guardiola’s reign. This remarkable period also saw Messi win four consecutive Ballon d’Or awards between 2009 and 2012, underscoring his influence on Barcelona’s success.

Criticism of Guardiola’s early success often pointed to Messi’s brilliance as the primary factor. Addressing these claims, Guardiola recently remarked in a press conference, "I remember many people said: He wins because he’s in Barcelona with Leo Messi and the other ones. He has to prove it in England. Ok! We did it."

Guardiola’s tenure at City has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has led the team to six Premier League titles, including a record-equalling four consecutive championships. The crowning achievement came in the 2022-23 season when City clinched their first Champions League title, completing a historic treble of their own.

Guardiola remains committed to City, with a contract running until 2027. By the end of his tenure, he will have spent 11 years at the helm, an unprecedented duration for the Spaniard. Despite recent challenges, including a run of seven games without a win, City ended their slump this week with a decisive 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. They face Crystal Palace in their next fixture in the English top-flight, followed by Champions League action with a challenging away match against Juventus.