Pep Guardiola has claimed 'the job is done' after winning the Champions League with Manchester City - saying the achievement feels similar to Lionel Messi finally winning the World Cup.
City beat Inter Milan 1-0 on Saturday in Istanbul to finally become European champions in what was Guardiola's seventh attempt as City manager.
The historic triumph followed City winning the Premier League and the FA Cup, with the club matching Manchester United's achievement of winning the three major titles all in the same season.
But while Guardiola has won the Premier League and FA Cup on multiple occasions before, he has compared the achievement of winning the Champions League for the first time with City to Messi finally lifting the World Cup at the fifth time of asking.
'I think the job is done,' Guardiola told Argentinian newspaper Ole. 'I don't want to compare myself much less with Leo (Messi) but there is an image of him in the World Cup that you say "that's it, that's it".'
Guardiola believes the final with Inter could've gone either way but it was finally in there favour after so many years of trying and failing at the latter stages.
When asked if his City side suffered to win the Champions League, Guardiola responded: 'Yes, but in previous Champions Leagues, where for example we lost against Chelsea or Real Madrid last year in the semi-finals, or even this year, you always suffer.
'Look, today we are very happy but we could have tied at the end. Inter could have tied with us and we could have lost.
'And now we would not be doing this note and everyone would not be so happy. In the end, sport at this high level is about details.'
With Guardiola winning almost everything there is to win at City, questions are now being asked over what the future holds for him.
The Catalan boss has two years left on his contract and, despite having his most successful ever season at the Etihad, he insists he is still primed to continue in pursuit of an unprecedented Quadruple.
Guardiola warned his players not to relent in their hunt for silverware after they beat Inter Milan on Saturday night. He was emboldened to carry on by the Premier League charges in February for City’s alleged financial breaches.
Rodri, whose goal clinched the Champions League crown for City in Istanbul, said: ‘It was so important to beat Inter because now we can build a legacy for the future. We can trust in ourselves.
‘This is what teams like Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona, AC Milan did in the past. We believe we can win it again.’
PUTA_PSG
649
Painful 6-7 months for Messi and Pep haters 😂😂😂
jaysinjude
492
you see this two .....they are the best in whatever they do..... Best football of all time Best coach of all time
ManjuKedilaya
446
Agreed in one context, both were criticized for not winning something like that and both happened in same season
daydekmrsu
383
when did madrid won the treble??
Ibrahimshickturay
372
They NEVER gave up👏💪
Hahceiklmu
345
City silenced everyone 🤣
Natanya
308
I said it when City won. They said he couldn't do it with Messi and they said Messi couldn't do it without Barcelona. What a year they both had, congratulations to the best coach and the best player. There's nothing more to prove go enjoy life and the beautiful game now, as Peter said there will always be those who debate.
Etilomi0147
157
People will definitely win the World Cup but the Treble is incredible, you can never predict it coming. Haaland for the ballon d’or✅
Shaon1990
107
Pep Guardiola is a master mind manager.
Sedekie_komara
28
We are only talking 💬 with trebles winners these days. Put your treble on the table then we can talk
fortunate0001
9
People will definitely win the World Cup but the Treble is incredible, you can never predict it coming. Haaland for the ballon d’or✅
Clown? Players who have won the Treble and much more plenty that the ones who have won the World Cup. World Cup is the Climax in football. If you win a World Cup, you won the world as football is the most prestigious sport on the planet earth.