MANCHESTER CITY is ‘the very best place’ for Lionel Messi if he leaves Barcelona, in keeping with his former Argentina team-mate Pablo Zabaleta.
Ex-Metropolis defender Zabaleta, 35, tipped Messi – who’s within the final 12 months of his contract on the Nou Camp – to prosper below outdated boss Pep Guardiola.
Lionel Messi has been urged to hitch Manchester Metropolis if he leaves BarcelonaCredit score: Rex Options
Former Metropolis defender Paolo Zabaleta mentioned the membership is the very best place for his outdated Argentine colleagueCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
The previous West Ham right-back instructed Messi may ‘need to go and luxuriate in a couple of years’ within the Premier League.
Messi had seemed set to give up the Catalan giants final summer time after expressing his want for a brand new problem but made a U-turn on the decision and eventually decided to stay.
City have long been linked with a move for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner and had been the frontrunners to take him away from the Blaugrana earlier than Messi opted to remain after his kids cried at the news he was leaving.
Zabaleta advised Stadium Astro: “It’s unhappy to see Messi in that state of affairs.
“I by no means thought he can be in a last 12 months of his contract at Barcelona.
“The staff will not be enjoying nicely and it appears that he’s not having fun with his soccer. We are going to see what occurs with Messi on the finish of the season.
“He has an in depth buddy in Sergio [Aguero] at Man Metropolis and has labored with Pep at Barcelona earlier than, in order that they know one another. Among the individuals on the board additionally know Messi.
“If Messi decides that he desires to go away Barcelona, that he desires to go and play in a distinct league, in a distinct nation, after all Man Metropolis can be considered one of them.”
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Zabaleta claimed each participant goals of a stint within the Prem and instructed Messi would slot in nicely at Metropolis as there are some acquainted faces on the Etihad for the 33-year-old.
He added: “Each participant want to have an expertise within the Premier League.
“The Premier League is the very best on the planet and perhaps he desires to go and luxuriate in a couple of years there.
“Man Metropolis can be the very best place for him as a result of he is aware of individuals there.
“I want to see Messi, if he decides to maneuver on to a different membership, in England as it’s a pretty place to play soccer.
“Man Metropolis can be the very best place for him as a result of he is aware of individuals there. “
Pablo Zabaleta
“He must get pleasure from soccer once more as a result of on the minute it looks like he’s not having fun with all of it.”
Messi has bagged 5 targets and two assists in 11 league video games for a struggling Barcelona aspect that languish down in eighth and he is ready to strike up talks with golf equipment as quickly as January.
Barcelona presidential candidate Emili Rousaud claimed the club’s skipper will leave if he does not agree to a pay cut – because the cash-strapped aspect cannot afford to maintain him.
And City will face competition from Paris Saint-Germain after the French giants reportedly warned their membership shops to organize to the Argentine’s arrival.
The Ligue 1 champs are supposedly rising extra assured of touchdown Messi and have suggested their retailers to organize for an inflow of blouse gross sales if the deal goes by.
