Valverde: I’m excited about coaching Leo Messi

New FC Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde’s passion for football is almost matched by that for photography as can be seen in a new feature for the Club’s official media. The former Barça player takes a look at a series of historical blaugrana photographs that include as subject matter Johan Cruyff’s iconic goal against Atlético Madrid, Leo Messi’s celebration after the comeback against PSG and the six trophies won by the blaugranes in 2009.

On the now famous photograph of Leo Messi following the 6-1 win over Paris Saint Germain, Valverde says: “The photo is beautiful. For him, for the moment, for being after the epic comeback…I am excited about being able to coach Messi, the best player in the world without doubt. Every day he continues to surprise you, the most difficult thing to do is to keep doing it day in day out.”

The man who takes over from Luis Enrique remarks whilst examining a photo of the six trophies from 2009 in front of La Masia: “One of the great successes of Barça is not just winning trophies, but also how they win and with whom they win them.”

Finally, the 53 year old comes across a photograph that he took himself when he was a Barça player. “I was studying at the Catalan Institute for Photographic studies and the tutor asked us for a photo reportage and I went to the Born area to take photos. Now I think about it, it’s impossible to imagine a Barça player or first division player going to a city neighbourhood to take photos,” says a smiling Valverde.