Fenerbahçe manager José Mourinho has named Argentine great Lionel Messi as the player who has helped him most in his coaching career.

The Inter Miami captain is widely regarded by many football enthusiasts as the greatest player of all time.

Mourinho faced Messi on several occasions during his time at Real Madrid, particularly during heated El Clásico clashes in Spain.

Prior to his move to Santiago Bernabéu, The Special One had come up against the Argentine star during his spells with Inter Milan and Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League.

Despite coaching Messi’s greatest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, at Real Madrid, the former AS Roma boss named Messi as the player who has most influenced his career—especially through the tactical challenges he posed.

“Messi, because every time I played against him, he forced me to think a lot.”

WDN