Marcelo: Messi the world´s best

Brazil left-back Marcelo has heaped praise on Lionel Messi, saying the Argentine is the best player in the world.

Brazil will tackle Argentina on Saturday and will be looking to bounce back from Sunday’s 2-0 defeat against Mexico, which ended a run of eight consecutive victories.

Despite meeting Messi several times throughout the season at club level, Marcelo says there is always a special feeling to playing against the Barcelona star – whom he rated higher than his Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Right now, Messi is the best player in the world and it is a pleasure to play against him,” Marcelo told Globoesporte.

“We will see what happens, if we can mark him. Argentina are more attacking [than Mexico], so we will have space to play.

“But we need to be careful, because they can score goals easily. You cannot talk about one or two players only, but about their entire team.

“But we also have several good players and we will try to secure a good result.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/marcelo-messi-the-world%c2%b4s-best/95847/

Messi surprised by Pep exit World Soccer Shop

Lionel Messi has revealed he was surprised by Pep Guardiola's decision to quit Barcelona at the end of last season.

Messi: Scored 73 goals last season

Speaking for the first time on Guardiola's exit, Messi said he was saddened to witness the end of the 41-year-old coach's four-year reign, which delivered an astonishing 14 major trophies - the last of which came with victory in last weekend's Copa del Rey final.

Messi remains optimistic, however, that Guardiola's assistant Tito Vilanova will be able to keep the good times rolling as he takes on one of the biggest jobs in world football.

"I was surprised and saddened by Guardiola's departure after four great years together with many titles," Messi told AS after arriving in his homeland to prepare for a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.

"It won't be easy after all that Pep achieved, but they did everything together and Tito was a great help in these years."

Messi is coming off the back of an incredible season after netting 73 goals in all competitions - 50 of those coming in La Liga alone - but admitted he is still bothered by his missed penalty that contributed to Barcelona's elimination from the Champions League at the hands of eventual winners Chelsea.

"We were close to winning the league and the Champions League," he said.

"I am madder about the Champions League because I think our elimination was unjust and also for missing that penalty. But this is already behind us.

"I am very happy for all the goals that I scored. My objective is the same every year - to keep learning, growing and improving."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17439/messi_surprised_by_pep_exit