Pep Guardiola wants Lionel Messi to stay in Barcelona, although he has been closely connected with a move to Manchester City.
In his bid to leave Barca on a free transfer, Messi was ineffective at the end of last season but is out of contract next July.
“Messi is a player for Barcelona,” he said at a pre-match news conference previewing Saturday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham.”
“If you ask me my opinion I have huge gratitude for what Barcelona has done for me – in the academy, as a player, and as a manager, they gave me absolutely everything.”
“What I want is [for Messi] to finish his career there. I would love it, I would wish it. That is what I said I don’t know how many times, maybe a thousand times.”
“Right now he’s a Barcelona player and the transfer market will be in June or July. We have incredible games to play and achievements to try and achieve and this is only in our minds.”
