Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had words of praise for Argentina duo Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi.

Guardiola was asked about his young forward Alvarez winning the World Cup, along with his ex-player Messi finally lifting the trophy he has craved his entire career.

The Spanish coach was speaking during a press conference as City prepare to take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Thursday.

On Messi, Guardiola stated: “Everyone has opinion but nobody can doubt he's there as greatest of all time. For me he's the best, difficult to understand a player can compete what he's done.

“The people who saw Pele or Di Stefano or Maradona. The opinions are sentimental, but the other side, if he wouldn't have won the World Cup, the opinion and my opinion wouldn't change. It's normal that people depends if you win or you are evaluated. The final cherries of an incredible career."

And on young Alvarez, he added: “We are incredibly happy for him, congratulations to him and Otamendi, personally to Messi. To Argentina, well deserved.

“We're delighted for Julian, he played a lot, his contribution was amazing for the team. We have a world champion in our team. He'll have a week, ten days off. Many games, lots of tension. He'll have a break, maybe before the new year."