Documentary reveals Messi wanted City escape

LONDON: Lionel Messi wanted to join Manchester City last summer after feeling “trapped” at Barcelona, according to a revelatory documentary.

The Argentine is said to have phoned Pep Guardiola just days after the former Nou Camp chief became City’s boss and they reportedly met up in Spain.

According to TV3’s documentary “Jocs fiscals”, Messi’s father, Jorge, phoned City’s executive director, Ferran Soriano, to say his son was looking to leave Barcelona.

The phone call between Jorge and City’s official is believed to have taken place on July 6 and then four days later Messi reportedly rang Guardiola for a meeting.

The former Barca and Bayern boss was reportedly out in his homeland for a family celebration but immediately met up with Messi when he heard from the five-time Balon d’Or winner.

Guardiola travelled to meet Messi face-to-face in Barcelona.

The reason why Messi was apparently distressed at the Nou Camp was because he had been sentenced to 21 months in prison for tax fraud.

The documentary reportedly revealed Messi felt “trapped” with the Catalan giants.

Messi’s father is believed to have then called Barcelona’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu to inform him of the ground breaking movements that are believed to have taken place.

But the president is then thought to have responded by saying he would not allow his talisman to leave the Nou Camp.

It is claimed Bartomeu then met with Messi and reiterated his determination to keep hold of him, before Messi eventually decided to stay with the Catalan giants.

This summer Messi signed fresh terms with Barca, keeping him at the club until 2021, and he also agreed to a £221,000 (RM1.2mil) tax fraud fine to keep him out of prison. — The Sun, London