Gary Neville reveals that Lionel Messi requesting a move out of Barcelona could be a political move and that the Argentine will eventually stay the Camp Nou.
Lionel Messi, who is reportedly said to have lost faith in club president Josep Bartomeu, is set to bring an end to his career-long stay at the Spanish club.
After Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League with a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich, the 33-year-old reportedly sent a message to the Barcelona board of his intentions to quit.
With a move to the Premier League a possibility and Manchester City strongly linked with Argentine, Gary Neville claims Messi will ultimately end up staying in Barcelona regardless of the transfer saga.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Neville said: ‘I think it’s politics and power struggle. Messi is flexing his muscles,’
‘It’s probably a bit more than that, but I think that is where it will end up in the end.
‘The idea that Barcelona will lose this player and he doesn’t finish his career there seems unbelievable to me. Does he really want to leave? Maybe.
‘But when push comes to shove and he’s got to meet with the president, the board and everyone else standing in his way, I think he will end up staying.’
He also admitted that he would love to see the Barcelona star in the Premier League, as it would help raise the status of the English division.
‘If he were to come to the Premier League, I think it would be to work with Pep.
‘Would I want to see it? I think I would have to say yes, because the idea of watching Messi close up, something I have done over the last 10 years, really is something to behold.
‘Would I want to stand in the way of every single young fan in this country having the opportunity to see him at close hand when fans are back in stadiums, no I wouldn’t.
‘But I just hope he doesn’t do very well for them!’
