Lionel Messi’s father and agent has opened the door to a move to Manchester City, admitting it will be “difficult” for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to remain at Barcelona.
Messi shocked the football world last week by submitting a formal transfer request at Camp Nou, which saw him outline his desire to activate the release clause in his current contract, which expires in 2021.
A number of possible next destinations have been mooted for the 33-year-old in the wake of the news, including Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, but Goal learned that City boss Guardiola had been in contact with Messi prior to him dropping his transfer bombshell.
Messi decided to not to show up for pre-season medical checks at Barcelona’s academy base over the weekend, and will not be reporting to any further training sessions in order to distance himself from first-team affairs.
Jorge Messi, who serves as his son’s main legal representative, touched down at El Prat Airport in Barcelona on Wednesday amid the intense speculation surrounding the Argentine’s future.
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The 62-year-old agent told El Chiringuito of Messi’s current situation upon his arrival in Catalunya: “A future at Barcelona? It is difficult. It would be difficult to stay.”
Quizzed on City’s interest in the Blaugrana talisman, Jorge responded: “I haven’t talked with Pep. There is nothing yet with City.”
Messi has spent his entire career to date at Camp Nou, where he has managed to establish himself among the greatest players in the history of the game.
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The Argentina international currently stands as Barca’s all-time top goalscorer with a staggering 634 goals from 731 appearances, and he has also contributed 285 assists to the club’s cause.
Messi has picked up 33 major honours in total during his time at the club, including four Champions Leagues and 10 La Liga titles, but was part of a squad that failed to win a single piece of silverware in 2019-20.
Barca finished second to Real Madrid in the Spanish top flight, before suffering a humiliating 8-2 quarter-final defeat in the Champions League at the hands of eventual winners Bayern Munich.
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