Fenerbahce manager José Mourinho has stated that Lionel Messi is the player who has contributed most to his growth throughout his career.
Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game, and Mourinho has faced the Argentine legend numerous times.
Messi made his first-team debut for Barcelona in a friendly match against Mourinho’s Porto in November 2003.
Mourinho then faced Messi and Barcelona in La Liga during his tenure as manager of Real Madrid.
He also went up against Messi in the Champions League during epic encounters with Chelsea and Inter.
When asked by Sporty Net to name the player who has helped him grow the most, Mourinho replied: “Messi, because every time I played against him, he forced me to think a lot.”
