ZABALETA: CITY PERFECT FOR MESSI
PABLO ZABALETA believes Manchester City would be the perfect fit for Lionel Messi if the Argentine superstar quits Barcelona.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday Express Sport, Zabaleta admits he is shocked by the way Messi’s relationship with the club he’s graced for 17 years has deteriorated.
Zabaleta, who has been a close friend of Messi’s since they played together for Argentina at youth level, reckons the Catalan club will make one final play to convince the sixtime Ballon d’or winner to stay.
But the former City defender, who has been living in Barcelona since hanging up his boots last summer, feels City boss Pep Guardiola can offer Messi the new challenge he’s looking for. Zabaleta said: “If Lionel
Messi decides to leave Barcelona and he wants to play in the best league then he has to experience the Premier League.
“It is something that will interest him – because every player I know always asks me what the Premier League is like.
“Leo has been in La Liga for so many years and I think it would be a huge attraction for him to experience English football. And Manchester
City offer the perfect conditions. It will be a big decision if Leo leaves Barcelona.
“It will be interesting to see what happens with the presidential election.
“Maybe the new president will convince Leo (right) to stay because I know his family is really settled in Barcelona.
“But if he decides to leave, I would love to see him at City.”
GARY ROWETT revealed his Millwall players were fuming about their changing room but were all smiles at full-time thanks to a second-half makeover.
After falling behind to an Alfa Semedo goal, Rowett’s pep-talk in the chilly changing room at half-time did the trick.
Matt Smith smashed in a leveller on 76 minutes and fellow sub Mason Bennett scored the winner with his head nine minutes later.
That sparked a 10-man celebration pile-up and Rowett said: “We weren’t hoping to hold our team talk in a concourse in about minus eight.the players felt it was a tad disrespectful to put us in there so it did give us extra motivation.”