Pep Guardiola was eager to be reunited with the Barcelona superstar at the Etihad Stadium, but lucrative terms were knocked back by the Argentine.
Lionel Messi turned down Manchester City’s offerto “triple the salary he has at Barcelona”, Khaldoon al Mubarak has revealed. The Argentine superstar was linked with a shock switch to England back in 2016, as Pep Guardiola took the managerial reins at the Etihad Stadium.
Speculation resurfaced last year as Barca struggled to get official confirmation of a new deal over the line, with it suggested that a five-time Ballon d’Or winner could be ready for a fresh start.In the end,Messi committed to an extension in Catalunya through to 2021.He had, however, been approached by City long before putting pen to paper, with Guardiola eager to be reunited with the mercurial forward in the Premier League.
Asked at a media conference in the UAE about the one player the Blues would have loved to have signed, City chairman Al Mubarak said: “Messi.“We asked Guardiola to talk to him, we offered him triple the salary he has at Barcelona, but he never accepted.”
At 31 years of age, and with rumours now circulating regarding another new contract for Messi, it appears unlikely that the South American superstar will be leaving his current surroundings. If he is to see out his playing days at Camp Nou, then he will hang up his boots as a one-club man.
Barca are confident that they can make that happen, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu telling the Times: “He doesn't want to leave.“We always tell him he can be a one-club man. That is his project too.”City appear to have accepted that Messi is out of their reach, with other targets having been chased down. They remain one of few clubs in world football that could afford to finance a deal if the exit door were to ever be opened in Catalunya, but they are being offered no encouragement in that chase

He is probably scared of new challenges.

at least he's not a rapist

coolcharm:
He is probably scared of new challenges.

City is still a team for upcoming &retiring players. so why will messi play 4a team only out win 2win d EPL

I only laugh when people say that Messi is not as good as Ronaldo because he has only played for Barcelona because they obviously don't understand the concept of loyalty...

Ronaldo left the second richest club in the world for the richest and most successful club in the world and his fans will say he's challenging himself...

Lalasticlala

coolcharm:
He is probably scared of new challenges.

Which challenges?

Messi has consistently eviscerated the best teams from the English Premier League when he faces them in the champions league

And he has the record number of goals and assists against Real Madrid, the most successful team in football history...

Abeg try another line

Messi is not motivated by money... He's loyal to a fault and Barca is bigger than Man City so why does he have to move to impress anyone..

randomperson:
I only laugh when people say that Messi is not as good as Ronaldo because he has only played for Barcelona because they can obviously don't understand the concept of loyalty...

Ronaldo left the second richest club in the world for the richest and most successful club in the world and his fans will say he's challenging himself...

Lalasticlala

Don't mind dem... Ronaldo left Madrid becos he wanted salary parity with Messi despite signing a new contract and salary less than a year before and Madrid weren't willing to offer him such...

coolcharm:
He is probably scared of new challenges.

What challenges?? U think it's every player who plays for d luv of d money and Fame?? Have u ever heard of d word LOYALTY?? Ask Giggs, Gerrard, Totti, Xavi and Iniesta... If Ronaldo wants challenges, he shld have joined a mid table club instead of a club dat has been dominating Serie A for years

MJBOLT:

barça is more successful than real madrid,barça is the club with the most official trophies in europe top 5 league

It's super cup and copa del rey you are using as measure of success, abi?

Madrid have 13 UCL titles, Barca has 5. Madrid have 33 la liga titles, Barca has 23... That's how u judge success

Messi is not like ronaldo, he doesn't look for fame or money like his competitor. He once declined spain's offer to for the country and he chose his country.. It is not about inability to face challenge . It is all about loyalty.

Messi has scored 22 times against English clubs(chelsea, man utd, tottenham, man city and arsenal) in 29 appearances and 7 assists.

And you want him to go and start playing against stock, watford, west ham ?
Great pele played 90% of his career at one club.
Messi haters can go and eat italian grass.

randomperson:


It's super cup and copa del rey you are using as measure of success, abi?

Madrid have 13 UCL titles, Barca has 5. Madrid have 33 la liga titles, Barca has 23... That's how u judge success

I think Barca has more than 23 laliga ...its26 now if I am correct .