- Lionel Messi’s current contract with Barcelona expires next summer
- Man City had been linked with an audacious bid to prise him away from the Nou Camp
- Poor relationship with Guardiola reportedly a factor in why move won’t happen
- READ MORE: Pep Guardiola in battle to land £50m-rated PL star, but Man City boss suffers setback in reunion bid
Man City boss Pep Guardiola is enjoying a fine second season in charge of the club so far, but this particular report might not make him too popular.
The Spanish tactician enjoyed four trophy-laden years in charge of Barcelona, winning three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies among many others.
A key part of his success was Lionel Messi, and naturally given the faith and confidence shown in each other, many believed that they had a very close relationship.
According to Diario Gol, as re-reported by The Express, that isn’t actually the case and it’s claimed that it will prevent City from signing Messi next summer.
The Argentine icon will see his current contract expire at Barcelona at the end of the season, as the wait goes on for official word that he has renewed and put to pen-to-paper on a new deal.
In turn, with the threat of losing him on a free transfer looming, as shocking as that sounds, Man City and Guardiola have been linked with a swoop for the 30-year-old, as noted by Diario Gol.
However, the report suggests that aside from the fact that Guardiola wouldn’t want to take such a club legend away from Barca, the club that ultimately gave him a career in playing and management, he isn’t actually on the best of terms with Messi as they’re described as being ‘very cold’ in person.
As a result, any hope that City supporters and the hierarchy had of seeing Messi at the Etihad appear to be without substance, but they’ll surely be content with what they’re currently building under Guardiola.
Having added countless top young players to essentially start a new cycle at the club, Guardiola and his players have built an early eight-point lead in the Premier League title race while they’ve comfortably qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League.
Of course Messi makes any good team great, but it doesn’t sound as though City will be a threat to Barcelona next year.