The Barcelona superstar has long been cited as a potential signing for Guardiola, who knows the Argentine well from Camp Nou.
Messi has that competitive mentality that only four or five players in history have
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has reiterated his admiration for Lionel Messi as speculation over a potential uniting for the pair at Etihad Stadium continues to mount. The Barcelona superstar has long been cited as a potential signing for Guardiola, who knows the Argentine well from Camp Nou. However, Messi has yet to confirm his future at Barca, although the club remains hopeful that he will not leave this summer. “He is very strong, the strongest. Besides his quality, it is his mentality, his head,” Guardiola said of Messi in an interview. “In four years at Barcelona, we have played many games in training, and he didn’t lose even one. If he had lost, he would have left. He has that competitive mentality that only four or five players in history have; they have something different.”
A turning point
“We all knew Leo Messi was the best, but then there were six or seven others who were strong and others who didn’t play because others were so strong.” While Messi’s desire to leave the Camp Nou last summer in the wake of his 8-2 UEFA Champions League thrashing to Bayern Munich was denied, he has made few sounds about what he will do from June onwards. However, in a recent interview with Argentine newspaper ‘Ole’, he praised Barca’s young squad. He dubbed the Copa del Rey’s victory this season a “turning point”, while stating his intention to win more titles – although he did not specify exactly where. Should he decide to leave City, it seems a natural alternative for the 33-year-old due to his relationship with Guardiola and the club’s ability to match his astronomical salary.
Head coach Ronald Koeman hopes to stay at Camp Nou. “Hopefully, he will play here for many years,” The Dutchman told reporters when asked if Messi would still be there next season. “He’s a unique player. He’s ten as a professional. If he doesn’t stay, Barca will have to coach other players and be effective with other players.” Messi has scored 30 goals this season, and the team has gone much further with him.”