Barcelona Reliant on 'God-Like' Lionel Messi, Goads Franz Beckenbauer

Former Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer believes Barcelona are "reliant" on the immortal quality of Lionel Messi.

Speaking ahead of the two clubs' Champions League semi-final meetings, Beckenbauer told Sky90 (h/t Michael Gadd of the MailOnline) that Messi's power is the difference between success and failure for the Catalan club: "He is a divine player, he is god-like. The hopes of Barcelona are reliant on Messi."

Perhaps ironically, Beckenbauer's comments arrive at a time where Messi's goalscoring prowess has been brilliantly aided by team-mates Neymar and Luis Suarez. KICK TV perfectly summed the trio's exploits up after Messi and Neymar netted in the 2-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday:

Consider the fact Suarez was banned until October, and next season promises to be even more special for Barcelona. B/R UK's Sam Tighe recently discussed the aforementioned trident:

Messi's 47 strikes in all competitions, per WhoScored.com, does highlight his importance on the most basic level, but it's right to consider him far more than just a goalscorer for the club.

He is a symbol of Barca's recent era of success, a graduate from La Masia who has developed into a leading marksman at the Camp Nou and in La Liga. Messi's presence provides an instant fear-factor; if he's playing, Barcelona have a chance of notching up a significant total.

Beckenbauer believes the inside knowledge of former Barca boss Pep Guardiola will pay dividends for Bayern. Now manager at the Allianz Arena, Guardiola played a major role in helping Messi to become one of the sport's best ever.

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"Guardiola knows the ins and outs of Barcelona. He knows the smallest of details that could put Bayern on their way," said Beckebauer, per Gadd.

Current Blaugrana coach Luis Enrique has installed a more combative style since the summer, one which tasks Barca with getting the ball forward far more quickly than Guardiola used to. The club's possession-based tiki-taka style has transitioned into an increasingly intense offensive setup. Less control is assumed, and results can be more spectacular or open to criticism.

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Sky Deutschland's Uli Koelher expects Pep to remain calm throughout his return, per Sky Sports: "He's won the trophy twice with Barcelona and now he goes back and we know he is very emotional. He wanted to avoid his former team as long as possible but now they meet in the semi-finals he has to deal with it." Koelher also believes Guardiola "will be professional."

It will be interesting to see if he can create a strategy to stop Messi. Many will remember Guardiola covering his face in amazement as he watched the Argentinian destroy Manchester City earlier in the campaign, but now the tactician needs to deliver a game plan that will stop the German champions facing similar treatment.

Bayern possess match-winners in the shape of Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery and others across the pitch. Barca will be able to ask questions of the side's defence, which has proven sloppy at times this season, but Manuel Neuer will remain resolute in goal. He may need to assume the role of deity if he's to stop the "god-like" Messi, however.

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May 6's opening leg at the Camp Nou promises to set the tone for an enthralling 180 minutes of play. Bayern must take inspiration from Beckenbauer—one of football's greatest defenders—to keep themselves in a positive position ahead of May 12's return leg.

Eliminating the bite of Messi isn't going to stop the body wriggling completely, though, as Bayern prepare for a two-legged tie which will be much more difficult than their 7-0 aggregate win over Barca two years ago.