Manchester City fans’ dreams of seeing Lionel Messi at the Etihad stadium next season have been dashed after the Barcelona striker penned a new deal today.
Although it was always unlikely that the four-time Ballon D’Or winner would be wearing the light blue shirt, the news will still come as a disappointment to City fans around the world.
The Premier League champions have often been linked to the Barcelona record goal scorer because of their status as a club capable of funding such a dramatic transfer.
But City chiefs and former Barca directors Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano have been unable to tempt the four-time Ballon d’Or winner to The Etihad.
With the player rumoured to be unhappy with life in at the Catalan giants, speculation of the move started to gain traction – but these rumours have been quashed after the announcement of his new contract via a statement released on the club’s website.
“FC Barcelona has reached an agreement to adjust the terms in the contract binding Leo Messi to the club as a professional first team player,” it read.
“The revised and updated contract will be signed over the next few days.”
The figures having not yet been released but it is expected that the new contract will make the 26-year-old the highest paid player in the game, surpassing Real rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The news will provide a boost for the Catalan club ahead of their title-deciding clash with Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou on Saturday – if Barcelona win the game they will retain their La Liga title.
However, despite the revised wage packet it is thought that the £250million buy-out clause will remain in place, which could prove tempting to City if they still wanted to pursue the Argentine.
Messi struck a penalty in Manchester when Barcelona ended City’s Champions League hopes back in February with a 4-1 aggregate win.
Image courtesy of Sky Sports via Youtube, with thanks
