FILE PHOTO: Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates his fourth goal with coach Pep Guardiola against Espanyol during their Spanish first division soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona May 5, 2012. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino/File Photo
CAIRO – 7 February 2020: Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, denies reports that linked Barcelona star, Lionel Messi, with a move to England to play for Man City following the public war of words between the Argentinean star and the team sporting director, Eric Abidal.
“He is a player for Barcelona, he will stay there, that is my wish. I am not going to talk about players for another club. I think he’s going to finish his career there, it’s my wish.” Guardiola said on Friday.
Abidal criticized Barcelona players’ for not working hard under former coach Ernesto Valverde and the Argentinean star hit back at him on Instagram.
This war brought to the surface concerns about the possibility of Messi’s departure away from the Catalan club who failed to win the UEFA Champions League title since 2015 and were knocked out of the last two editions with dramatic scenarios.
Guardiola was Barcelona’s manager during the Golden era of the Catalan team between 2009 and 2012, during which the club dominated the domestic football in Spain and won two UEFA Champions League titles.
Comments
Leave a Comment