Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has broken his silence regarding a possible transfer to Manchester City and a possible reunion with his former manager Pep Guardiola.

In a shocking revelation from Guardiola’s autobiography, it describes how the possibility of Messi joining Manchester City was approached following the team’s shock Champions League exit by Lyon in 2020. According to the account, Messi’s good friend Sergio Aguero informed his teammates that the Argentine had enquired about the length of Guardiola’s contract with City. Shortly afterwards, Messi contacted his former manager and a meeting was arranged.

Messi and Guardiola met at Guardiola’s residence in Barcelona and discussed a possible transfer at length for six and a half hours. The manager confirmed to the club’s top brass that if Messi signed, he would also sign for more years. Messi, facing a difficult situation at Barcelona due to financial problems, was increasingly leaning towards City.

Despite a positive meeting, the transfer fell through. Messi failed to show up for Covid tests at the required time and eventually agreed with Barcelona to stay at the club for another year. This ended any chance of a new collaboration with Guardiola, and Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

Messi commented on the situation: “What I can say is that there was a real possibility of joining Manchester City and reuniting with Pep Guardiola. It was a difficult decision, but in the end I chose to stay at Barcelona for another year. I have no regrets, but I recognise that it was an opportunity that was very close to being realised.”

Messi’s announcement ends speculation about a return to the Premier League and highlights how, despite not having played in the English league, his link with Guardiola almost took him to Manchester City.