Messi will "always cherish" Guardiola

Posted Wednesday, May 09, 2012 by ESPN

Barcelona ace Lionel Messi says he will "always cherish" the time he has spent with outgoing coach Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola is set to leave the Catalans after four trophy-laden years with the club at the end of the season.

The Spaniard was given an emotional farewell after Saturday's 4-0 win over Espanyol, which was Barca's last home game of the season.

Lionel Messi scored all four goals on the night and this week he brushed off speculation that the pair had suffered a dip in their relationship with each other in recent times.

"Pep will always have my respect. I will always cherish him," Messi told Tencent Weibo.

"He has been massively important in my career.

"I am grateful to all of whom I've made happy with my goals."

There had been rumours in Spain that Messi and Guardiola had not seen eye-to-eye this season - a campaign which will end with the Catalans dethroned as European and Spanish champions.

This was further fuelled by the Argentinean's absence from Guardiola's press conference to announce his decision to leave the managerial post in the off-season.

Both men have denied any rift in their relationship.

Messi has been in sublime form this season with 72 goals and he has now netted an incredible 251 times in 327 Barcelona appearances.