The images of Pep Guardiola and Leo Messi at the end of the first half of the Champions League semi-final at the Allianz Arena between Barcelona and Bayern Munich caught the world's attention. Bayern's boss exchanged a few brief words with the Argentine as he left the pitch. His mouth was covered, though, to avoid people picking up on the conversation.

Javier Miguel

After Guardiola had put his hand around his former pupil's back and made some small talk, both made their way down the tunnel. Cameras from around the world tired to work out what had been said, all without success.

However, SPORT has been able to find out what the dialogue, which only lasted for a few seconds, consisted of. The coach from Santpedor wanted to congratulate Messi for his return to top form and said: "I'm delighted that you're back again." It was a way of breaking the ice with the Barça star and starting a conversation after being out of contact for so long.

Messi's response was both curt and blunt. "I never left," he pointed out. That was the moment Pep put his arms around Messi's shoulders as a form of flattery, as if to say, 'Leo, what are you like'.

IN THE DRESSING ROOM

At the end of the game, Guardiola also took the opportunity to go into the Barça dressing room and greet his former players, congratulating them for reaching the final and asking them to take advantage of the chance they have to win the club's fifth Champions League.

It was received in a cordial way by those who have not forgot that it is thanks to Guardiola that they hit so many heights in his four years in charge of the club. He was only in the changing room for a few minutes, but it was long enough for the mutual recognition to be recognised by both the coach and his old players. He then passed through anti-doping to speak to Pedro, who was with Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

In this way, the Bayern manager was able to close a cycle, although what is clear is that his relationship with Messi lined with curious ups and downs, always with the most respect, although it does not seem that normal that the two most important people of a winning project have not maintained any contact since the Catalan coach decided to take a sabbatical.