Barca presidential candidate tips Messi for Man City move

Barcelona presidential candidate Toni Freixa believes Messi’s decision to quit is irreversible and thinks Manchester City will be his next club.

The aftermath of Messi’s shocking decision to request a departure from Barcelona this summer is still going strong, with the player again refusing to attend training on Monday.

The lingering hope that Josep Maria Bartomeu’s possible resignation as club president would lead to a u-turn from Messi appears unfounded, as he’s reportedly yet to respond to such an offer.

It seems there will be no further developments until Wednesday when Messi and his father, Jorge, will allegedly meet with Barcelona officials to discuss his future.

But one such figure already convinced the Blaugrana have seen the last of their talisman is Freixa, who hopes to replace Bartomeu as president.

“As I have heard from several sides, the decision the player has come to is one that has matured over several years and is irrevocable,” the Catalan told Goal. “I don’t believe that there is any going back.”

As arguably one of the greatest players of all-time, Messi isn’t short of interest this summer. Several top clubs are keen on him, including Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.

Lionel Messi has told his father that he has decided to join Manchester City and will turn down PSG, according to L'Equipe 😱

Just imagine the reunion 🤤 pic.twitter.com/sOma3e3mIs

— Goal (@goal) August 28, 2020

Reuniting with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, however, is the most logical next step for the 10-time LaLiga winner.

“I think a move to Man City is likely,” Freixa said on where Leo will next end up.

“With Pep, Messi experienced his most brilliant years in Barcelona. It would only be logical if both of them worked together again. City, like almost all English clubs, also has the financial means to build a team that can win anything.”

Joining City would not only be the most feasible option financially, but perhaps success-wise as well. This factor is critical for Messi as he seeks to bow out of football in the same way he arrived as a champion.

But that’s something Barcelona haven’t offered of late, with the last of his four Champions League titles being won back in 2015. Losing LaLiga to Real Madrid last season, on top of that recent 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich, was the last straw.

“Messi is a player who strives for maximum success,” added Freixa.

“He alone cannot achieve maximum success, he needs a team for that. He does not have one. Since the treble in 2015, Champions League success is missing. That is what concerns him. His decision is due to the negative sporting development of the team in recent years.”