It's rare in football for a team of immensely talented individuals to come together and work in such perfect synchronisation, and when they do they are remembered as the greatest to have ever played the game.
In Pep Guardiola's time at Barcelona, he was fortunate to oversee one of those groups who, in no small part thanks to him, conquered the world.
"The two times we won the Champions League it was with seven players from the youth team, players like Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta and [Victor] Valdes," he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"They all arrived at the club aged seven or eight and became stars.
"The club had confidence in me, I came through the underage categories and we had the money to buy great players.
"We also had the best player in the world."
Guardiola's Barcelona won two Champions Leagues, two Club World Cups, two European Super Cups, three LaLiga Santanders, two Copa del Reys and three Spanish Super Cups.
"These things happen once in a lifetime," he added.
"It makes me nostalgic to see those pictures of me there and the joy we had.
"In 20 years if we are still reading our story the it will be a great thing.
"It will be something that we left behind."
The Catalan explained the importance of Messi, arguably the greatest to ever play football and someone who he describes as 'a competitive and fierce animal who hates losing.'
"If the team helps him in the big games then he makes the difference," Pep noted.
"He and Cristiano Ronaldo have been scoring 50 goals a year for 10 years - it's incredible."
The sweetest conquest
Now at Manchester City, Guardiola admits to not knowing how far his side can go in Europe this season.
"Our best success as a club was to reach the semifinal in 2016," he opined.
"I don't know if we're prepared and we don't have the history behind us to say if we are up to the mark."
Looking ahead to the future, the tactician didn't rule out the possibility of coaching in Italy someday, claiming that a few years ago he didn't expect to ever coach Bayern Munich, which he did from 2013.
He did however stress his comfort in Manchester and that he is enjoying the English football culture.
Đhibic2003
275
One Picture-Million words
Canada4638478
243
Pep is a humble and modest guy. These players Messi, Xavi, Puyal and others like Ronaldiio were in Barca on 2007 year before pep took over the team but didn’t win ANY Trophies. Pep revolutionize football for ever not just in club but national team... Spain won Europe and World Cup (9 Barca players). Germany World Cup. England last 4 if more players from MC probably would have won. Just like Messi best of all time,,, Pep best coach in history of football 👍👍👍
Henryrukis
212
it's true. players like xavi, Iniesta, puyol, abidal Messi and some other great players all on one team. that was a killer squad. pep we miss your memories.and we hope you come back home. Barcelona is where you belong. from ball boy to being the best Coach in the world. we love you pep.
Ribin24
181
Pep should come back within a year or two. It's the time when the era of Messi and his other teammates come to end. Pep should be there at that time to build up a new team. He has the technique to do it and he will do it and a new era will begin...