Pep Guardiola makes Lionel Messi comparisons to Rayan Cherki after Sunderland showboat | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has glowed on Rayan Cherki, comparing the Frenchman to the game of Lionel Messi at the height of his career.

Cherki’s performance against Sunderland added another layer to the growing excitement around the 22-year-old, who continues to deliver decisive attacking contributions in games for Manchester City.

His rabona assist for Phil Foden capped a dominant 3–0 victory for the Etihad side and instantly became one of the standout individual moments of the Premier League weekend, as the result tightened City’s grip on the title chase after Arsenal slipping up earlier in the day.

While Sunderland arrived with a deep defensive setup and briefly caused frustration, Guardiola’s side dismantled the visitors with possession, long stretches of pressure, and goals engineered by defenders stepping into attacking spaces. First-half strikes from Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol put the game beyond reach before Cherki added the flourish for the third.

Guardiola has repeatedly highlighted the importance of mentality and maturity among his younger players this season, and Cherki’s controlled flamboyance continues to earn admiration. His willingness to attempt high-risk actions comes alongside a growing tactical trust from his manager.

Speaking to reporters after the weekend’s victory over Sunderland, Guardiola said of Rayan Cherki, “An exceptional player.

“He’s so young, has HUGE personality – he proved it against Fulham in the toughest moment, 5-4 coming on, and every time he had the ball he gave extra passes and continuity. He’s not scared, has self-confidence, and in the final third he has something special.”

Commenting on the player’s talents and particular the rabona assist for Phil Foden’s goal, Guardiola said, “What I admire most in Rayan [Cherki] is not the skills. I never saw [Lionel] Messi play and make a cross like he has done.

“Messi is the best player to have played the game, and I never saw these kind of crosses. Crosses is fine, it’s fine – it doesn’t matter if it’s right [foot], left, part of your foot, the head, doesn’t matter. If it’s effective, fine.

“But I like simplicity because I learned from Messi he never made a mistake, and never made a mistake with the simple things. Never. Simple things he does perfectly. And after dribble [past] four, five.”

Guardiola continued, “And what I want from the players is the simple things to do it well, and after that if you do this [rabona], players have special talent that mum and dad give to you, and he can do whatever he wants.

“But if it doesn’t work, now it will be a problem. Now you’ll be in trouble.”

Quizzed further on the 22-year-old’s personality and behaviour, Guardiola admitted, “It’s the key. Skills, a blind guy will realise. If you go to the biggest stages, away, really under pressure, it’s like a friendly game for them. That is the importance for players to be in important teams.

“To discover that is so difficult, because you always see players in skills, actions, but you don’t know how he behaves at Anfield, Old Trafford, Arsenal away, or 79th minute and we need a step up. Friendly games? Everybody does it. 3-0? Everybody.

“No, no the question is the toughest moments, ‘I’m going to win the game, perform who we are’. When you have a lot of these, and I HAD a lot of these in my career, after you can have success. Without? No tactics exist.”

Rayan Cherki’s rising influence raises an intriguing question for the weeks ahead as to whether he become a consistent starter in Pep Guardiola’s evolving front line, with his blend of improvisation and composure making him a unique option in a squad already stacked with elite attackers.

There is also the broader tactical adaptation to consider as Guardiola rarely gives such public praise unless a player has convinced him in training and in difficult match situations. Cherki’s ability to produce controlled chaos may push him into a more central role as the season enters its decisive phase.

With Manchester City navigating a tight title race and multiple competitions, the Frenchman’s momentum could hardly be arriving at a better time.