Pep Guardiola tried to settle the rumors that would place Leo Messi in Manchester City next season if he finally decided to leave Barcelona. The citizen technician said that his "desire" is that the Argentine finish his career in Barcelona. "Messi is a Barcelona player and will stay there. That is my wish. I will not talk about players from other teams, but I think he will finish his career there," said the press conference technician, on the eve of the meeting of the Premier League that will face Manchester City and West Ham this Sunday.

The Spanish coach, who coincided with the Argentine star for four years (2008-2012) in one of the brightest stages in the history of Barcelona, ​​stepped up on the information published this week by several English portals. After the recent crossing of statements between Messi and the sports director of Barcelona, ​​Eric Abidal, who according to British media would rethink their future to the six-time winner of the Golden Ball, one of the destinations of the Argentine could be Manchester City. And it is that the sky blue set is one of the few clubs that could assume the card of the '10' culé. However, Guardiola's statements seem to rule out that hypothetical signing.

I healed, recovered; Sterling, in doubt for the Bernabéu

Coach citizen also valued the physical condition of the attacker Raheem Sterling and his chances of being available for the round of 16 match of the Champions League against Real Madrid. "He has a hamstring injury , so we'll see. He needs weeks to recover, but we'll see if he gets to Madrid," he said.

An important absence that, according to Guardiola, has also been repeated with other key players. "Last year we had this problem with Gündogan, six months injured, and this year also with Laporte. That's what it is." Who seems to have recovered for the cause after breaking the cruciate ligament in August is the German Leroy Sané . "He is training with us. When you have been injured for six months you need to recover the tempo, rhythm, and confidence in your knee and your body. It is not like a muscular problem ... The operation went perfectly and recovered very well, but it needs time, "Pep said of the 24-year-old.

Finally, asked about the huge difference in points (22) between his team and the leader Liverpool, the Catalan did not give the Premier League for lost . "A year ago people said we were unstoppable and nobody could beat us. I don't know what will happen in the future. We will do what we can to reduce the distance. When we achieved 100 points we were 25 up. Liverpool reduced that advantage to one point and now they are ahead, "he said.

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  • First division
  • FC Barcelona
  • Premier League
  • Leo Messi
  • Pep Guardiola

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