BARCELONA legend Rivaldo believes Lionel Messi could be tempted to reunite with former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The Argentine superstar has grown hugely unsettled at his boyhood club as problems continue to mount behind the scenes.
Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi could reunite at Manchester City, Rivaldo has claimedCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Messi is said to be angry with Barca’s board about leaked media reports that appeared to make him seem responsible for events at the club.
This included the six-time Ballon d’Or winner being accused of playing a role in the January sacking of coach Ernesto Valverde.
The 33-year-old is also allegedly frustrated about the quality of Barcelona’s squad.
His current contract expires at the end of next season and Rivaldo has suggested that a move to Man City could be on the horizon.
Guardiola won seven major pieces of silverware as Barca boss – including the Treble in 2009 – with Messi the lynchpin in his side.
Rivaldo told Betfair: “If he is considering leaving the club, then something mustn’t be good in the Barcelona dressing room and perhaps he is tired with all the constant problems that have surrounded the club in the last few months.
“When Messi’s contract ends, he will be 34, but with his class I think he could still easily play in Premier League.
“It will be sad to see him leaving Barcelona once his contract ends eventually, but I still hope that he can stay for now.
“Despite his connection to the club, he has the right to move if he wants and reuniting with Pep Guardiola at City will be tempting for him, as the two of them formed a great coach and player partnership at Barca.”
Rivaldo, who spent five years at the Nou Camp, even hinted that agents will be dreaming of teaming Messi up with arch rival Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus.
He added: “With all this speculation, I believe that some agents are already dreaming about a Messi-Ronaldo double at Juventus and how big it will be around the globe.
“If that happened there would be a world ‘boom’, and I believe Juventus would quickly recover any investment on the Argentinian thanks to the boost they would get from visibility and marketing.
Messi has grown disillusioned with life at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Rivaldo was speaking to Betfair about Messi’s future
“It would be historical to see both playing together and I’m sure many Juve sponsors would love to help financially, so, it’s also a possibility for Messi.
“If there are rumours about his exit, then of course every club will be thinking about how they can sign him.
“That said, the two best players in the world for the past ten years playing at the same club would be massive.”
Lionel Messi set to quit Barcelona in 2021 when contract ends
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
