'I hope Messi comes to the MLS it would be great,' says Schelotto

Guillermo Barros Schelotto is surprised by Messi’s wish to leave Barcelona, but hopes it’ll mean a move to MLS isn’t off the table as previously believed.

Lionel Messi has done the unthinkable in handing in a transfer request to Barcelona. Now it’s a question of where next for ‘La Pulga’, who is widely rated as one of the greatest of all-time.

He may be 33 nowadays, but Messi continues to be arguably one of the finest players in the world if not the best. An incredible 25 goals and 21 assists in LaLiga last season justifies it.

For a player of such a level, it’s only natural that several European giants would target him. Among them are said to be Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, and Manchester City.

The latter, who are coached by his former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, are favorites. It’s alleged that City’s owners have tabled a five-year deal to Messi’s representatives. He’ll spend three years in Manchester and then the last two years at sister club New York City FC in the MLS.

Now Schelotto, who coaches LA Galaxy in the MLS himself, is hopeful such an outcome does materialize for the American league.

“I was shocked when I heard about Messi’s decision about abandoning FC Barcelona because we all thought he was going to retire there,” said Schelotto in a video conference as quoted on Diario AS.

“But he must have his reasons and as a fellow Argentine I wish him the best always and I hope he comes to the MLS it would be great.”

No further updates on Messi’s future are expected until Wednesday at the earliest where he is set to meet the Barcelona board with his father, Jorge, to discuss his wish to leave the club.

He has already refused to attend preseason medical tests and Ronald Koeman’s first training session the club’s new manager on Monday.