The real reason why Messi didn't join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City

Lionel Messi was at FC Barcelona throughout the majority of his career. It seemed almost impossible to see him leave the Catalan club, but it happened in 2021 when he joined PSG and left the club for financial reasons. Messi reportedly had offers to join Saudi Arabia after his PSG years, but he chose to play in the MLS for Inter Miami. While Messi seems to stick around in the United States, Messi could most likely either retire after Inter Miami or return to his boyhood club in Argentina, the Newell's Old Boys. Before joining Inter Miami and even before joining PSG, Messi reportedly was considered a potential Man City signing a few years ago.

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Messi had no clear path after his departure from FC Barcelona in 2021, and PSG was the main candidate to sign him. PSG ended up signing him, but Manchester City was also interested in signing Messi as a free agent. The move was attractive to Messi as he would reunite with his former manager at FC Barcelona, Pep Guardiola. Guardiola has spoken highly about Messi for many years, and he still does so to this day. Many fans expected him to join Man City and Pep Guardiola but instead chose to play with his former teammate Neymar.

Messi didn't seem to like something about playing for Manchester City as one of the former assistant coaches at Barcelona revealed Messi's thoughts about Man City. FC Barcelona has faced Man City a few times in the Champions League before, and one time, FC Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura said, "We played once at Manchester City's stadium, and I told Messi: "Wow, their stadium is nice, isn't it? 'Yes, it is, but the Camp Nou… Also, the weather here is sh*t!' he replied."

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Lionel Messi was not ready to leave FC Barcelona

In the Big Time Podcast, Messi revealed his feelings after leaving FC Barcelona. Messi said, "I thought I would stay in Barcelona. I was not ready to rebuild my life and move my family from this place.. my wife and children."