Pep: I’d like Leo to retire at Barca

Pep Guardiola says he would like to see Lionel Messi retire at Barcelona when he eventually decides to call it a day.

The former Barca boss has seen Messi linked with a move away from the Camp Nou after recent comments regarding his future, but Guardiola believes it would be better for the Argentine international if he stayed put.

“With all my heart I hope that Messi finishes his career at the club,” said the Bayern Munich tactician before his team’s Champions League clash with Manchester City on Tuesday.

“I think it’s the best place he can be and it would be a fantastic finale for a club that has given him so much, and for all that the Barcelona fans have provided us with.”

Guardiola has happy memories of his time in charge of the Catalan giants and applauded Messi on surpassing Telmo Zarra’s record as La Liga top goalscorer at the weekend.

“It’s the first time I’ve been asked about it so I want to congratulate him publicly. He has beaten a record that has stood for 60 years and it will take another 600 before it is done again.

“I’m not exaggerating. What he has done at 27-years-of-age is outrageous,” he declared.

Tags Bayern Munich Guardiola Messi
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