You can’t put a price on loyalty
Lionel Messi rejected an incredible offer to join Manchester City, the Premier League champions’ chairman has revealed.
Speaking at a media conference in the United Arab Emirates, Khaldoon al Mubarak confirmed that City made a serious play to sign the Argentine prior to him signing his latest contract extension at Barcelona.
With Pep Guardiola keen on a reunion with Messi after his arrival at The Etihad Stadium, City offered him a wage packet three times the size of the one he was on at the Camp Nou at that time.
Asked about the one player City would have loved to have signed, Al Mubarak replied: “Messi.
“We asked Guardiola to talk to him,” he added.
“We offered him triple the salary he has at Barcelona, but he never accepted.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner extended his current contract at Barca in November of last year, some time after City had made their offer. Now aged 31, it seems likely Messi will remain with the La Liga champions for the rest of his playing days, despite rumours that he is being eyed by David Beckham’s Miami-based Major League Soccer team.
Talk of another Barca contract extension for Messi is already doing the rounds in Spain, his current deal – which contains a €700 million (£632m) release clause – set to run beyond his 34th birthday.
