Lionel Messi lauds 'special' Pep Guardiola as speculation over Manchester City move reignites

Argentine star has grown disenchanted at Barcelona after unsuccessful attempt to leave club

Manchester City manager and former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola with Lionel Messi after a Champions League match in May 2011. AFP

Lionel Messi said he counts himself lucky to have worked under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona and that the Spaniard brings "something special" to coaching; comments that are likely to fuel speculation the pair could reunite at Manchester City.

Messi was the pillar of Guardiola's Barca side that won 14 major titles and has been linked with a switch to City since the manager signed a new deal that will keep him at the Premier League club until the end of the 2022-23 season.

The Argentine player is into the final few months of his current contract in Spain having unsuccessfully tried to leave Barca during the close season.

"Pep has something special," Messi told Spanish channel La Sexta.

"He makes you see things in one way: how he prepares for matches, defensively, how to attack ... he told you exactly how the match was going to be, how you had to attack to win.

"I was lucky ... to train under Guardiola and Luis Enrique, the two best. Having them made me grow a lot physically and mentally, and also the tactical wisdom they've taught me."

Guardiola said last month that he is unsure what the future holds for Messi but hopes that, as a Barcelona fan, he will remain at the La Liga club until the end of his career.

"Leo Messi is a player for Barcelona and if you're asking me for my opinion, I am a person who has a huge gratitude to Barcelona for what they did for me as a player, they gave me absolutely everything, from the start, from my time in the academy," Guardiola said.

"So I want him to finish his career there. That is what I want. As a Barcelona fan, I would like for Leo to finish there. But this year he finishes his contract and after that, we don't know what will happen and what is in his mind.

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21 transfers on the cards in January 2021

1). Lionel Messi. No player will generate more transfer speculation in January than Barcelona’s Argentine superstar. Messi attempted to engineer an exit during the delayed off-season but there was debate over the validity of the exit clause in his contract. Since then, Barca have hardly done much to convince their captain to sign a new deal, with the club struggling in La Liga. It would be astounding if Messi left in January, but he will be free to discuss terms with other clubs. Where he could end up looks to be down to just a few options. Potential destinations: Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. AP

2). Paul Pogba. Close behind Messi on the transfer rumour mill will surely be Manchester United’s French midfielder. His agent made it abundantly clear that his client is desperate to leave Old Trafford and it would be in everyone’s best interests to make that move happen. While he has so far struggled to justify his £100m transfer fee, Pogba remains a coveted and highly-rated player. Potential destinations: Juventus, Real Madrid, PSG. AFP

3). David Alaba. Bayern Munich’s Austrian defender looks destined to leave the Bundesliga champions after a breakdown in talks over a new deal. At 28, Alaba, who operates at both left- and centre-back, is in his prime and is sure to attract plenty of interest from big European clubs. A January move could be on the cards or could be a time when Alaba confirms his next employer for next season. Potential destinations: Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea. Getty Images

4). Memphis Depay. Lyon’s Dutch forward was on the brink of joining Barcelona on deadline day in the summer, but the move ultimately fell through. As Depay enters the final six months of his contract, it’s widely expected that Barca will revive their interest and seek a cut-price deal in January. Potential destinations: Barcelona. EPA

5). Georginio Wijnaldum. Amid Liverpool’s rush to tie first-team players to new contracts over the past year, the Dutch midfielder has been the one notable exception. Wijnaldum is a key player for the Premier League champions but negotiations over a new deal have reportedly broken down over his desire for a four-year contract. It could pave the way for Wijnaldum to leave Anfield in January, or at the least agree terms with another club. Potential destinations: Barcelona, Inter Milan. AFP

6). Florian Thauvin. Newcastle fans will remember the French forward unfavourably but he has been a star for Marseille since his move to the south of France in 2017. However, his future looks set to be away from the Velodrome, with AC Milan admitting their interest. The Serie A side will reportedly face competition from La Liga’s Sevilla. Potential destinations: AC Milan, Sevilla. AFP

7). Angel Di María. The Argentine attacking midfielder has been a stalwart for PSG but has recently been dropped over a loss of form. As Di Maria enters the final six months of his contract, his future appears elsewhere, with two Serie A giants reportedly interested. Potential destinations: Juventus, Inter Milan. AFP

8). Hakan Calhanoglu. AC Milan are said to be growing increasingly concerned that the Turkish midfielder has yet to sign an extension to the contract that expires next summer. Should the stand-off continue into January, there is one Premier League club who are, according to reports, ready to make a move. Potential destinations: Manchester United. Getty Images

9). Julian Draxler. A perennial squad player for much of his time at PSG, the German winger looks set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season. There is also a possibility that he could depart in January, with reports claiming two clubs are interested in signing Draxler during the mid-season window. Potential destinations: Sevilla, Hertha Berlin. Reuters

10). Eric Garcia. Like Depay, Manchester City’s Spanish defender was also on the verge of joining Barcelona in the summer. Having started the season with his share of match action, Garcia has slipped down the pecking order following the arrival of Ruben Dias. Injury has also hampered his cause. With his contract running down, Barca could look to secure a deal in January. Potential destinations: Barcelona. Getty Images

11). Riqui Puig. Not long ago, the young Spanish midfielder was expected to form the future of Barcelona, but Puig has failed to impress manager Ronald Koeman. As his contract enters its last six months, reports say a move to the Premier League could happen, although the Barcelona hierarchy might step in and block any potential exit. Potential destinations: Leeds United. Getty Images

12). Joshua King. One of Bournemouth’s stars during their stint in the Premier League remained at the club following relegation, but his future looks set to be back in the top-flight with two clubs linked with making a move for the Norwegian forward, who is in the final year of his contract. Potential destinations: West Ham, Newcastle. Reuters

13). Christian Eriksen. The Danish playmaker’s “dream” move to Inter Milan has quickly turned into a nightmare and if recent comments are to be believed, Eriksen will leave the San Siro in January. There has been plenty of speculation regarding Eriksen’s next destination, much of it focused on a return to the Premier League. Potential destinations: Manchester United, Arsenal. Getty Images

14). Yves Bissouma. The Ivory Coast midfielder has been one of the few positives in a drab season for Brighton & Hove Albion, and his performances have reportedly been noticed by some big clubs. Brighton will be loath to lose one of their star players in the middle of a season that’s shaping up to be a relegation dogfight but, then again, money talks. Potential destinations: Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid. Reuters

15). Philippe Coutinho. Another dream move that quickly turned sour, the Brazilian midfielder’s time at Barcelona has fallen short of expectations. With the club in a desperate financial situation, they are reportedly eager to cut their losses and sell Coutinho in January. Suitors may be an issue, though, given his wage demands. Still, there have been some clubs linked. Potential destinations: Arsenal, Juventus. EPA

16). Mesut Ozil. It's been a disastrous season for both player and club as Arsenal continue to slide while the German playmaker sits idly at home, excluded from their Premier League squad. Manager Mikel Arteta could look to reintegrate Ozil in January but would rather sell Arsenal’s highest-paid player. That might be easier said than done. Potential destinations: Fenerbahce. Getty Images

17). Divock Origi. The Belgian forward has never been central to Jurgen Klopp’s plans and his place in the pecking order has fallen further since the arrival of Diogo Jota. Reports have emerged claiming he could be set for a January exit. Potential destinations: Wolves, West Ham. Reuters

18). Arkadiusz Milik. The Polish striker has been one of Napoli’s most consistent performers since his arrival in 2016, either side of a season-ending ACL injury. However, Milik has been excluded from the squad this season after refusing to sign a new contract and a January exit appears inevitable. According to reports, there will be no shortage of takers. Potential destinations: Everton, Atletico Madrid, Juventus. Getty Images

19). Sami Khedira. The veteran German midfielder has found game time limited at Juventus this season, and with his contract winding down, reports claim a surprise move to the Premier League, and a reunion with a former manager, could come about in January. Potential destinations: Everton. Getty Images

20). Dele Alli. Tottenham’s English midfielder has seen his influence diminish this season due to a loss of form and rumours persist that he could leave the Premier League club in January. A loan with an option to buy looks more likely at this stage. Potential destinations: Everton, PSG. AFP

21). Patrick van Aanholt. The Dutch full-back may be one of the most underrated players in the Premier League, and with his Crystal Palace contract set to expire next summer, speculation suggests he could be on the move in January. It would be a big blow to Palace. Potential destinations: Ajax. Getty Images