Lionel Messi warns Barcelona to watch out for pal Sergio Aguero and hails Pep Guardiola as the man who can lead Manchester City to glory

LIONEL MESSI has backed Pep Guardiola to lead Manchester City glory - and warned his Barcelona team-mates over pal Sergio Aguero.

In a world exclusive with SunSport, the Argentinian genius has discussed life under former Barca boss Guardiola and why his first goal against English was so special to him.

Messi and Barca have touched down in England ahead of their Champions League clash tomorrow night, with the Argentinian genius looking to maintain his 100 per cent record at the Etihad.

Keep up to date with ALL the Barcelona, gossip and transfers on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary

Messi struck a penalty in a 2-0 last-16 victory in 2014, while Jose Hart saved a spot-kick a year on as the Catalan giants grabbed a 2-1 win thanks to a pair of Luis Suarez strikes.

Aguero has described Messi as "like a brother" to him in the past, saying they have roomed together on international duty since 2005.

Comparing Aguero to close friend and Barca team-mate Luis Suarez, Messi told SunSport: “Kun is a very simple and easy-going person, a great lad and, as a striker, one of the best. As is Luis.

“They are different but, if you want to look at it like that, either of them can decide a game. They are both very decisive.”

Messi has decided enough Champions League games himself, racking up 89 strikes in just 108 matches.

Ominously for City, his hat-trick in the Nou Camp means he has netted six times in just two competition games this season.

Whichever side comes out on top tomorrow last night, Messi is convinced that City success in on the horizon under Guardiola.

The Barcelona superstar added: “City are a great team.

"They have always been a great team each year we have faced them but now, by having Pep, they will grow more through his work.”

Messi summed up the difference between Guardiola’s Barca and that of Luis Enrique.

He explained: “In reality, the system of Barcelona is something that everyone knows.

“I can say we are one of the few clubs that have it, but each boss has different things and applies them as he sees fit.

“We have not noticed massive changes but, yes, some — in that with Luis (Enrique) maybe now we are a bit more aggressive when we attack at speed, whilst with Pep we used counter-attacks less.”

Messi also warned that buoyant Barca are coming to Manchester aiming to win — despite the absence of the injured Andres Iniesta.

He added: “Missing Andres is something you always notice as far as I can tell — for how he is as a player and what he creates on the field of play.

“But we are in good shape and we are coming very confident.”