[ad_1]
The Argentine superstar has his mind set on leaving Camp Nou, and is likely to join longtime ally Pep Guardiola, according to Toni Freixa
Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona this summer and is “likely” to move to Manchester City, according to presidential candidate Toni Freixa.
It had been speculated that the Argentine, who surprised the football world by submitting a transfer request at the club last week, could change his mind if current president Josip Maria Bartomeu resigned, but according to one of the men pointing to take over. position, that will not be the case.
Pep Guardiola’s team is currently leading the chase for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, who he believes has a clause in his eligible contract to allow him to leave on a free transfer, despite La Liga ruling otherwise.
Manchester City will face competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Inter for the signing of the superstar, the race for which he is scheduled to warm up in light of Freixa’s words and the news that Messi did not attend training. Monday.
“As I have heard from various parties, the decision the player has come to is one that has matured over several years and is irrevocable. I don’t think there will be going back, ”he said. objective.
Freixa explained that the 33-year-old’s desire to leave is driven by the fact that Barcelona have fallen from their pedestal as one of Europe’s top teams.
Not only did they give up their First Division title to Real Madrid loosely after the game was suspended due to the coronavirus, but they were embarrassed in the Champions League stage by suffering a humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich. .
Furthermore, reports suggest that new coach Ronald Koeman has not endeared himself to players by freezing his teammate Luis Suarez from his plans.
“Messi is a player who seeks maximum success,” explained Freixa. “He alone cannot achieve maximum success, he needs a team for that. It doesn’t have one. Since the triplet of 2015, success in the Champions is lacking. That is what worries you. His decision is due to the negative sports development of the team in recent years ”.
It is probable that Messi will end up meeting with former Barça coach Guardiola in England.
“I think he’s likely to move to Man City,” Freixa said. “With Pep, Messi lived his brightest years in Barcelona. It would be logical for both of them to work together again. City, like almost all English clubs, also have the financial means to build a team that can win anything.
However, he sees this crossroads as an opportunity for Barcelona to move into a new era.
“In life everything comes to an end at some point, and even if there is no longer a player like Messi, his departure would be an opportunity for Barça to become a team less dependent on a single player,” he said. .
“Messi’s influence on the Barça game has been immense in recent years. The style of play was designed to give you the ball and expect you to do something magical with it. Without him, the group would have more demand. That can also be liberating. “
Messi is Barça’s record scorer, having found the net for the club 634 times in 731 outings.
