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Messi would need ‘cojones’ to join Real Madrid, says Kroos

Toni Kroos, Lionel Messi
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Toni Kroos doesn’t foresee any chance Lionel Messi swapping Barcelona for Real Madrid or staying in Spain altogether for that matter.

Messi has handed in a formal transfer request to Barcelona and hopes to leave this summer, giving birth to a whole new wave of transfer rumors regarding his future.

Reports have linked Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Newell’s Old Boys, Juventus, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City to the Argentinean superstar.

His father and agent, Jorge, arrived in Catalonia on Wednesday morning to begin talks over his son’s future. The 62-year-old has, though, confirmed a Barca exit is most likely at the moment.

Although staying in La Liga appears to be an impossible prospect, with rivals Real Madrid probably the only Spanish club capable of affording him.

But while Los Blancos could certainly match his criteria both on a financial and competitive aspect, Kroos cannot imagine a possible scenario that would see Messi in the famous white jersey.

“I do not think he will come to Real Madrid, if I have to rule it out categorically,” the German said to his brother, Felix, on the Einfach mal Luppen podcast.

“To stay in Spain: You need ‘cojones’ for that. I think hardly anyone in the football world can imagine Barcelona without Messi.”

The Real Madrid midfielder did, however, back claims that a reunion with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City is Messi’s most likely destination.

“It could most likely be Pep and City” Kross added.

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