Lionel Messi has histrionically admitted he’d love to work with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola again.
Messi has always claimed he'd only play for his former club – Newell's Old Boys.
The diminutive ace has now admitted he'd welcome a reunion with his old mentor.
When asked by Marca if he'd prefer to have a colleague like Leroy Sane or to work with Pep Guardiola again, Messi replied: “It's always nice to play with great players.
“Although it's difficult, I would like to work with Guardiola again.”
Reports earlier this year suggested City bigwigs would sanction a mega-money move for Messi.
Guardiola is resolute that he'd never bring Messi to the Etihad. “When I left Barcelona and went to Bayern Munich and Manchester City I never asked Messi to come here,” he told reporters.
“I never went to both clubs and said I want this player.
“I know how important he is for Barcelona.
“I never made the first step to say I want this player. Never.
“I said a thousand times I want him to stay at Barcelona. I want that.”
Guardiola took a sabbatical following his spell managing Barca.
Messi has previously said the 47-year-old transformed the La Liga heavyweights,.
He said: “Pep immediately transmitted an enormous amount of pride in our work, ambition and hunger.”
They travel to Madrid-based outfit Getafe on January 6.
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 years ago
