Lionel Messi would often bring up the same Manchester City player in conversation with Sergio Aguero, an Argentine teammate and close friend of Messi’s.

After City hired Pep Guardiola as manager in 2016, players from Barcelona began to take notice of the team.

During his tenure as manager of the Catalan giants (2008–2012), Guardiola won two Champions Leagues and ushered in a new era of football.

Guardiola was the greatest coach Messi has ever had, according to Messi, and he had a major impact on his career.

A ‘degree of interest’ around City at the Camp Nou, according to the Telegraph, has always existed because of Guardiola.

Finished eighth time Nominee for Ballon d’Or It was clear that Messi was paying attention to Guardiola’s available players. Out of all the ones he saw, one stood out to him.

Reportedly, Messi and Javier Mascherano were in constant contact with Aguero to inquire about Phil Foden’s progress.

The twо friends wаnted tо knоw hоw ‘thаt kid Fоden is like’ when he wаs а yоung Etihаd Stаdium cаdet.

In Guardiola’s 2017 Champions League match against Feyenoord, Foden made his debut at the tender age of seventeen.

His success has only increased since then. As a player for his childhood club, Foden was instrumental in their five Premier League, four League Cup, two FA Cup, and Champions League victories.

In Kevin De Bruyne’s absence, the England international has filled in admirably for the Belgian midfielder, scoring five goals and assisting on four more.

Although Guardiola thinks he can make the switch to center midfield like Messi did at one point in his career, he has mostly played on the wing for City.

“He can play there, still I have the feeling he’s still young, some maturity [is required] to understand what happens in the middle to read what happens,” Guardiola remarked in a February speech.

You have to read the middle of the field to respond correctly; when you’re playing on the wing, you’re moving to the right and doing stuff like this. His youth is an undeniable factor. He has the abilities to do it, without a doubt.

This is the ideal attacking position for Messi at the moment; Phil’s play in Nottingham, including shooting and setting up Erling Haaland, was spot on.

“Phil is really good doing that, in the pockets, in the right like Kevin [De Bruyne] plays.”

I can see why Messi was interested. On the field, they’re very comparable. On Saturday afternoon, City will face Liverpool in their comeback match.