New book reveals how Lionel Messi ‘pleaded with Pep Guardiola for Man City transfer before receiving brutal response’
LIONEL MESSI supposedly met with Pep Guardiola about joining Manchester City in 2020.
The Argentine legend had a meeting with him a year before his Barcelona deal was set to end.
Messi eventually ended up signing for PSG when his contract expired – but discussions took place over a move to the Premier League.
A new book named “God Save Pep” written by Marti Perarnau, who has previously been given behind-the-scenes access to write about Guardiola, has made the claims.
It states that Messi texted his friend Sergio Aguero and asked how long the manager plans to stay at Man City.
It reportedly led to the World Cup winner contacting his old boss and they scheduled a meeting at his house in Barcelona.
Messi was told about the tough training sessions at City and he was also warned about the rainy British climate.
The book claims Guardiola said: “In Manchester we train very hard and I make long tactical talks. Maybe you’ll get bored.”
But Messi was still keen to join the club as he reportedly pleaded: “I will train hard, I’m not worried. I will put up with everything you do.
Although it proved not enough to convince the Spaniard over a reunion.
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Guardiola apparently replied: “Leo, we have grown older. Maybe we can’t stand each other anymore.”
Messi stayed for just two seasons at PSG before joining Inter Miami in July.