Speaking recently on The Beautiful Game Podcast, Christian Falk discussed a number of this summer’s transfer rumours, and, in particular, Lionel Messi’s potential move to Manchester City.
Messi’s record with Barcelona needs no introduction. Since making his debut as a 17-year-old back in 2004, he has gone on to play 731 games for the Catalan club, scoring 634 goals and providing 285 assists.
Over his 16 years in the Barcelona first team, he has won 10 La Liga titles, six Copa del Reys, eight Spanish Supercopas, four Champions Leagues, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups amongst many more team and individual trophies.
However, despite this ridiculous haul of trophies and an astonishing contribution in terms of goals and assists, it has been reported that Messi has informed Barcelona he would like to leave the club this summer, with Manchester City being heavily linked with a move for the 33-year-old.
Christian Falk believes that Messi will indeed become a City player in the near future, as, speaking on The Beautiful Game Podcast, he stated:
“I don’t know it yet because they’re really, really keeping this secret, but, I think, this will be the next step for Messi, even [if] they don’t say anything about it.
“I know for sure Bayern Munich won’t buy him. My dear colleague Fabrizio [Romano] says he’s not going to Juventus either, so they’re not so many clubs left where firstly, they can pay the price – and we talk about his salary – and Messi won’t leave this club to build a new team like Chelsea, which can win, in three or four years, a Champions League. He will go to a team where he can win it next year.
“I think [between] Pep Guardiola and him, there’s a special connection. It wasn’t always so good like everybody thought, but they have the same philosophy. Messi sees that, at City, he can win the Champions League. Pep will build the team around him. So, I think, this is what happens next.”
Do you believe Messi will be a Manchester City player next season?
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TIF Thoughts…
From Falk’s comments, then, it would certainly appear as if he feels that Messi will indeed end up at City, which is certainly an extremely exciting thought if you are a fan of the club.
As for how the deal comes about, one imagines that there will be a great deal of back and forth as yet, however, if Falk is to be believed, come next season, Messi could be playing his football in the Premier League.