Jose Mourinho has credited Lionel Messi for improving him as a coach.

The Portuguese tactician lined up against the Barcelona superstar on several occasions during his three years in the Real Madrid dugout as the two sides contested for dominance in Spain.

Mourinho insists that having to prepare for an opponent of such quality forced him to learn and get better in order to deal with the Argentine superstar's threat.

"I always say that I owe so much to my players, and to those who haven't been my players but those who created problems for me," the Portuguese said to EFE.

"For example, Messi never played for my team, but he played against me and he has made me a better coach for having to prepare matches [to stop him].

"When I say Messi, I also mean the other great players I've faced."

Mourinho won La Liga with Los Blancos in 2012 as well as the Copa del Rey the season before.