Guardiola refuses to compare De Bruyne with Messi

CAIRO – 16 October 2017: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola refused to compare Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

“The best is just one. I wouldn't help him (De Bruyne) comparing to Messi. Messi is apart. He is a guy who scored 60 goals a season," Guardiola told press on Monday ahead of Man City’s game against Napoli in the UEFA Champions League.

Guardiola coached Lionel Messi in Barcelona for four years from 2009 to 2012.

Guardiola praised Kevin De Bruyne, saying, “He is an amazing player; a humble guy. All his teammates love him. He wants to play every game and fight until the end.”

Guardiola added, “If you want Kevin to be considered one of the best, he has to win titles. We are here to help him achieve that.”

Kevin De Bruyne scored a goal and provided five assists to lead Manchester City to top the Premier League with 22 points after eight games.