Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IS IT,NEXT STOP CITY?
Barca superstar Messi looking for Nou challenge
PEP GUARDIOLA has always held firmly to the line, when quizzed about Lionel Messi, that he hopes the superstar finishes his career with Barcelona.
When asked whether he might like to sign him, he has always used it as a smothering tactic.
But the news signalled yesterday – that the playmaker is ready to quit the Nou Camp – leaves that tactic redundant and the City boss with new questions to answer.
There will be turmoil in Guardiola’s head and heart as to the best way to go.
Money is no object and there would undoubtedly be a perverse pleasure for some at the Etihad in splashing the cash, following a summer battling UEFA in court over their finances.
And Guardiola would relish the chance to work with Messi in one final season as he seeks to finally land the Champions League.
But there is a question as to whether the 33-year-old is the right choice for City.
Would the baggage Messi brings outweigh the benefit?
Is a player who has fought publicly with his manager this season and a player who was part of a side beaten 8-2 by Champions League winners Bayern Munich not part of the problem himself? The
Argentinian will have no shortage of suitors, with PSG, Inter Milan and America’s MLS ready to call right now. But if it is to be the Premier League – and Messi wants to prove it was Barca and not him who has been the fading force this season – there seems to be only one possible destination.
And it is alongside Guardiola (left) in his home from home in the North West. But there would be complications.
If City step in, what would it do for Phil Foden’s progress – perhaps the most exciting young English talent playing in the top flight right now?
Would Messi be happy sitting on the bench and rotating?
What would it do for City’s wage structure?
What might it do for the growing leadership of Kevin De Bruyne?
Also, Messi does not fit with any of the previous signings during Guardiola’s time at City, with players aged 20-25 who are still on the way up.
Perhaps the City boss reasons another Champions League failure requires a rethink on such policy.
Clearly, this is a decision that lies not solely with Guardiola, but with Messi.
And it could be one to define the former’s City legacy, so he has to get it right. 6-4 Man City, 3 Inter Milan, PSG, 4 Juventus, 13-2 Man Utd, 12 Any MLS Club, 14 Liverpool, 20 Leeds, 25 Any Argentinian Club, 35 Bayern Munich, 50 Chelsea, 100 Lazio, Newcastle, 125-1 Napoli, 150 Real Madrid.