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It's my wish to see Messi finish his career at Barca: Guardiola

Pep Guardiola poured cold water on the idea of Manchester City signing Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in the close season, saying he would prefer that the Argentinian forward finishes his career at the Spanish club.

Messi has been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp at the end of the season after he caused a stir by criticising the club’s sporting director Eric Abidal over who was responsible for the sacking of Ernesto Valverde last month.

British and Spanish media reported that Messi has a clause in his contract that allows him to walk away for free in the close season even though his contract runs till 2021, sparking speculation of his departure from the club after 16 seasons.

“He’s a player for Barcelona, he will stay there, that is my wish,” Guardiola, who coached Messi from 2008-2012, told reporters on Friday (Feb 7), ahead of Sunday’s English Premier League match against West Ham United.

“I’m not going to talk about players for another club. I think he’s going to finish his career there, it’s my wish.”

Guardiola also said that City forward Raheem Sterling is a doubt for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at Real Madrid later this month due to a hamstring injury.

Sterling was slated to miss Sunday’s match due to the injury, but Guardiola now fears he may be out for longer and miss the trip to the Spanish capital for the match on Feb 26.

“It is a problem,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know if he will be fit for the Madrid game.”

City winger Leroy Sane is still on the road to recovery as he stepped up his comeback from a serious knee injury that required surgery last year, but Guardiola said it would be “weeks” before he was ready to return to action.

“When you have an injury like this, six months, you can’t train one week and be there,” Guardiola added. “You need the rhythm, to be in the right frame of mind. Knee injuries always take time.”

With second-placed City 22 points behind Liverpool, Guardiola conceded he did not expect his side to be so far behind the runaway league leaders.

“We cannot deny the gap is big,” he said. “We didn’t expect to be 22 points behind but it’s the reality. We have to accept it and learn from it.” – REUTERS

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