After a crunch meeting between Lionel Messi's dad Jorge and Barcelona was said to have ended in a stalemate, reports from Argentina now claim the superstar is considering a U-turn over his decision to leave the Nou Camp.
The man regarded by many as the game's greatest ever player is now considering seeing out the remaining year of his contract, according to TyC Sports.
Renowned in Argentina for its reliable reports, TyC Sports claimed senior figures at the club have pleaded with the 33-year-old to stay, and that he will spend Thursday considering his options.
Reports from Messi's homeland have also claimed he is now “90% likely to stay” – which if true will be a blow to Manchester City.
And if the reports from Argentina are to be believed, then it appears the Catalan giants' intransigence could force their best player to stay for at least another season.
Messi's dad said staying at Barcelona would be “difficult” for his son when quizzed by reporters on his arrival in the city on Wednesday.
Interviewed by Cuatro Deportes, he was asked whether going to City was “a good option” and replied: “I don't know. There is still nothing.
When it was put to him that Guardiola had said it would be best if the six-time Ballon d'Or winner stayed at Barcelona, Messi Snr said: “I have not spoken to Pep. I have not spoken to anyone.”
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He was then asked how he saw Messi's future at Barcelona, and replied: “Difficult, difficult.”
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 years ago
