Pep Guardiola: 'Lionel Messi has helped me improve'

Pep Guardiola
© PA Photos
Pep Guardiola has insisted that Lionel Messi has helped him improve as a manager.

The Argentine netted all four goals against Espanyol last night as Guardiola took charge of Barca for the final time in the Nou Camp.

After the match Guardiola took time to heap praise on a player that has scored 50 La Liga goals this season.

"Leo has captured the limelight all season, I can't be jealous," Guardiola told the club's official website. "Expect him to keep on doing it in the future. I've tried to help him as much as I can, and he's helped me improve and become a recognisable manager.

"I'm grateful to Leo for doing that. I've received a lot of love from the players this whole time, within the demands that unite us.

"I love them a lot and that's what we have left."

Guardiola has two more matches remaining before his four-year tenure in charge of Barca comes to an end.
Tables
TeamPGDPTS
1Barcelona367094
2Real Madrid365981
3Atletico Madrid363272
4Real Sociedad362062
5Valencia361362
6Malaga36454
7Real Betis36-352
8Rayo Vallecano36-1749
9Sevilla36447
10Getafe36-1147
11Espanyol36-644
12Athletic Bilbao36-2044
13Real Valladolid36-543
14Levante36-1842
15Granada36-1839
16Osasuna36-1636
17Deportivo La Coruna36-2035
18Real Zaragoza36-1934
19Mallorca36-3132
20Celta Vigo36-1831