Guardiola: My commitment remains the same on Messi

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said he’s not slowing down his desire to lure Messi to play in the Premier League.

City were heavily linked with Messi recently but a move for the six-time world player of the year did not materialise as the Argentinian opted to stay with Barcelona.

It looked at one stage as though City were in pole position for the superstar when it emerged he was calling time on his Barca career.

But just days after City were given encouragement, it was announced that Messi would be staying to play at the Camp Nou this season.

It proved to be a false dawn for City, but Guardiola was not willing to discuss how seriously City entertained the idea of signing Messi.

read also:Guardiola hails De Bruyne as world’s best midfielder

The former Barcelona boss said: “I think I don’t have to explain anything. Leo explained quite well his feelings and I don’t have anything to add.

“He is a football player for Barcelona, the club I love.”

Guardiola is now in the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, but he says the uncertainty over his future will not affect how he operates in the coming season.

He said: “It is the same. I am in the same position. I come in to work every day harder and better than the previous seasons, and to do the best football as possible to win games and make people proud of our team. That is my job.”