Pep Guardiola has spoken about Lionel Messi's chances of winning the World Cup with Argentina later this year.
Messi's side will enter the tournament with Lionel Scaloni in charge, who led Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021 despite it being his first managerial role.
Guardiola, who won the treble with Barcelona despite having very little coaching experience himself revealed that he was not surprised that Scaloni had been successful.
Speaking in an interview with Telemundo Sports, the Manchester City boss said, "It’s all a big lie in football that experience is useful. The one that served you yesterday, is no use to you today.
"The illusion of young people like Scaloni, Aimar and the people they have, gave the group what they needed. Enough, it worked. Why? It’s a mystery.
"I always give the same example. A Champions League final, Milan was up 3-0 against Liverpool at half time. That Milan team probably had the most experience I have seen with Cafu, Maldini, Dida, Nesta, Gattuso, Pirlo, Crespo, Inzaghi… It was 3-0 at the break and in 20 minutes 3-3 and they lost."
The former Barcelona manager also spoke about how winning the Copa America will give Argentina confidence ahead of the World Cup.
"Winning the Copa America for any group gives you a feeling of 'we did it' and I’m sure that will help in the World Cup. I have seen little of Scaloni’s team but they have not lost for a long time and that feeling that you are winning and not losing is going to give you strength.", he said.
Stressing Lionel Messi's presence in the Argentina squad and how it impacts the mood of the whole team, Guardiola concluded, "The fact of having him there, knowing that he has the unique ability to always create two or three personal actions out of nothing, be it goals or generating play with his forward team mates like Di María, Lautaro or Julián Álvarez. That feeling of strength is great."
In the recently held World Cup draw, Argentina were placed in Group C alongside Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Poland.
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