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Messi to Manchester City rumours resurface again

By Stephen Little

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) is to shake hands with Bayern Munich's Spanish head coach Pep Guardiola as he leaves the pitch at half time during the UEFA Champions League football match semi final FC Bayern Munich vs FC Barcelona in Munich on May 12, 2015.AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) is to shake hands with Bayern Munich's Spanish head coach Pep Guardiola as he leaves the pitch at half time during the UEFA Champions League football match semi final FC Bayern Munich vs FC Barcelona in Munich on May 12, 2015.AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images) /
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With another rumour floating around about Manchester City’s interest in Lionel Messi, we take a look at the likelihood of such a move for both sides.

When you read through the Sports headlines to get caught up in the latest transfer window madness, you usually find yourself wading through endless heaps of unmitigated nonsense in the form of exceedingly dubious rumours that smack of baiting for clicks or paper purchases.

For example, “Chelsea to sign Neymar” doesn’t exactly sound so outlandish, but it’s so obviously not going to happen that one doesn’t even need to check to know that it’s the Sun they are reading. But how about “Bournemouth FC to sign Neymar”, a headline so wild and fantastical one can’t help but feel there must be some reason for it existing in print, some fire to create such dark and ominous smoke.

The continually reappearing connection between Manchester City and Barcelona superstar and perennial Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi somewhat straddles the line between the two. On the one hand, it’s not entirely unthinkable, City are undoubtedly a big side with nigh unlimited resources available. On the other hand, it’s Lionel Messi and he’s not going anywhere. So it’s both viable yet unlikely and weird yet enticing at the same time.

The recent connection, courtesy of, who else, the Daily Express, finds yet another reason to bring the two sides together:

"MANCHESTER CITY are monitoring Lionel Messi’s situation at Barcelona after the club’s former president said there is a “conspiracy” to sell the star forward, according to reports.Former Barca chief Joan Laporta has hit out at his former club, claiming: “There are certain powers who want Messi to no longer be a Barca player.”"

This all started with Messi’s conviction for tax fraud earlier in the month. Back then, rumours circulated that Messi could well elect to leave Camp Nou, and Spain altogether, off the back of his guilty verdict. Though he escaped jail, the suspended sentence comes as a black mark on the CV of the best player in the game and Messi was said to be upset that Barcelona did little to support him through the case, not even accompanying him to court.

If Messi were to leave, well, obviously Manchester City would be interest. Because you know, every team in Europe would be interested. It’s hard not to be interested in a player that has built a career at being better than anyone else in just about every footballing category imaginable. His 26 goals and 16 assists last season (with 43 goals and 18 assists the season previous) in La Liga don’t even begin to describe a player so lucrative, and thus desirable, as Messi. He’s the top of the footballing food chain and every club wants him.

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    • Obviously then City would be insane not to show any interest in even the slightest hint or rumour, even if it does seem unlikely. Indeed, the Express, and Manchester Evening News, may well have it right that ultimately Messi would opt to join the Blues if he did, for some unthinkable reason, decide to leave Barcelona. His appreciation and respect for Pep Guardiola and connections with his staff would make for a soft landing and doubtless he would relish the chance to link up with his childhood best friend Sergio Aguero.

    Nonetheless, that all stands for very little. Messi probably-definitely isn’t going anywhere. He’s the face of the Barcelona franchise, that guy who appears on their adverts, mugs, towels and aftershave. Having Lionel Messi brings in more money than selling him, even for the world record bid he would garner, could bring in. Further, he’s irreplaceable. Perhaps some day Neymar might be the new Messi, but for now he’s not.

    As for Messi, well, why would he actually leave? Sure, he may be a bit bothered by the embarrassment of being found guilty for tax evasion and the club’s nonchalance at it, but that doesn’t seem like a decisive factor to make him leave Barcelona. He’s destined to be the club’s enduring figure and legend long after he’s even alive. His family too are doubtless settled and he really doesn’t need the money or opportunity to prove himself that a move could bring.

    Next: 4 Manchester City Targets That Bother Real Madrid

    In the end, it seems we are likely to hear more of these rumours and I confess I still get a little excited just to see if there’s anything actually there. That could well be because while it’s viable, it has almost no chance of happening, or, it could be that while it’s weird, it still seems oddly enticing. For now, we’ll have to wait and see.

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