Man City boss Pep Guardiola congratulates Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi on winning the World Cup #MCFC

PRAISE 

Man City boss Pep Guardiola sends message to Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi after winning World Cup with Argentina and labels ex-Barcelona superstar ‘the best’

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi following their World Cup success with Argentina.

Both played all seven games in Qatar, helping their nation to secure a third world title.

Alvarez managed four goals in the Gulf State, two which came in the semi-final against Croatia.

The 22-year-old was a constant threat for his side and played a pivotal role in helping Messi finally get his hands on the trophy, which had previously alluded him.

Messi, meanwhile, found the back of the net seven times, scoring a brace in the final, as his country eventually beat France 4-2 on penalties.

Speaking on Wednesday ahead of City’s Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool, Guardiola expressed his delight for Alvarez, ex-City defender Nicolas Otamendi, and Lionel Messi, who he coached at Barcelona.

“We are incredibly happy for him [Alvarez] – congrats to him, for Otamendi, of course, personally for Lionel Messi and Argentina as a country; a well-deserved champion,” said Guardiola.

“Everyone has an opinion but nobody can doubt that he [Messi] is there with the greatest of all time.

“I’ve said many times, he’s the best. It might be difficult to understand and compete like he has done in the last 15-16 years.

“But people who saw Pele or [Alfredo] Di Stefano or [Diego] Maradona, people can say their favourites, but often these opinions are sentimental.

“But, on the other side, he would have not won the World Cup, my opinion on what he has done for world football would not change. For him it is the final cherry of his incredible care.”

Guardiola was keen to praise Alvarez, but did hint the former River Plate striker could miss the remainder of City’s games in 2022.

“For Julian, we are delighted because he played a lot and his contribution was amazing for the team, for the way they played. We have a world champion in our team.”

“He will have a week, 10 days off. There are many games, a lot of tension. I think he will have a break and come back, I don’t know exactly the date, maybe the days before new year or New Year’s Eve.”