Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has explained why he believes the world will never see another player like FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, whom he managed for four years.

Click through the mini-gallery above to see images of Messi and Guardiola together at Barca.

After being appointed Barca manager in 2008, Guardiola inherited a team with a 21-year-old Messi who was on his way to becoming one of the best footballers in the world.

Guardiola took the Argentine under his wing and showed him huge favour throughout his time at the Catalan club, which is perhaps one of the reasons the team won so many trophies in those four years.

The tactician, who left the Blaugrana in 2012, has now insisted that not only is Messi a rare player for what he offers on the field, but also for who he is as a person, and that football is unlikely to ever see another player with his talent and humility.

"He's unique," he told TV3.

"We'll never see a player like him ever again.

"I'm not saying that just for what he does out on the pitch but also because he never comes out with excuses when the team loses.

"Nor does he point the finger at his agent when things he doesn't like happen."

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Messi played 219 games under Guardiola in four years, scoring 211 goals and assisting a further 96 strikes.

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