Pep Guardiola stated in an interview with ESPN Argentina that Lionel Messi "will go to great lengths" to return to his former club Barcelona once his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ends this summer.
Messi's father and agent, Jorge Messi, released a statement on Tuesday refuting rumors that the forward had agreed to move to Saudi Arabia next season. According to sources cited by ESPN, Messi is leaving PSG in the summer and is currently evaluating an offer to join Al Hilal, the crosstown rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr.
Barcelona was unable to register a new deal for the Argentina captain due to the financial constraints faced by the LaLiga club, forcing Messi to depart in August 2021. In March, the Catalan club's vice president, Rafa Yuste, stated that they were in touch with the 35-year-old regarding a potential return.
"I am a fan of Barcelona, I have my tickets [at Camp Nou], and I just hope that one day we can bid farewell to him as he deserves," Guardiola expressed to ESPN. "He is the greatest player of all time."
"Barcelona has had a 'boom' in the past 12 years, and that wouldn't have been possible without him. I'm not just talking about the numbers, but also his involvement in the play, his beauty, his efficiency, everything," said Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola coached Lionel Messi at Camp Nou from 2008 to 2012, winning three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues. After leaving Barcelona, Guardiola managed Bayern Munich and is currently in charge of Manchester City, who drew 1-1 with Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Messi remained at Barca until 2021 when he joined PSG on a free transfer.
"I never expected it to end the way it did," added Guardiola. "I am certain that President Joan Laporta loves Leo, and since he left, he has said that [Messi] deserves a farewell befitting the important figure that he is."
Leo has helped our club, Barcelona, become far greater than it was when he first arrived. When someone is that significant, you have to bid them farewell appropriately. He left due to extremely challenging financial circumstances and thousands of other reasons that I won't go into," said an unidentified source.
While Lionel Messi's future after PSG remains uncertain, sources have told ESPN that Major League Soccer (MLS) has also expressed interest in signing him for a move to the United States.
The World Cup-winning captain will return from suspension for PSG and be available to play in Saturday's match against AC Ajaccio, following an apology for missing training to go on an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.
"There are currently no agreements in place with any club for next season," stated Messi's father Jorge in a release on Tuesday. "The decision will not be made until Lionel finishes the league campaign with PSG. After the season concludes, we will analyze our options and make a decision.
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