‘That confirms it then’, ‘pain’, ‘Peps defo hiding something’ – Man City fans reacts as Guardiola breaks silence on Lionel Messi exit

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said that Lionel Messi is ‘not in the club’s thoughts’ this summer.

Messi’s departure from Barcelona was confirmed on Thursday night, with the Catalan giants blocked from signing the attacker to a new contract due to “financial and structural obstacles”.

Both Paris Saint-Germain and City have been linked with moves for Messi but Guardiola insists the 34-year-old will not be arriving at the Etihad Stadium after the club spent a British record £100 million on Jack Grealish and handed the former Aston Villa captain the No. 10 shirt.

“We spend £40m on Grealish, £100m we pay and £60m we won [from incoming transfers], and he will wear No. 10,” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday. “We were incredibly convinced on Grealish and convinced Messi would stay at Barcelona.

“Right now, it’s not in our thoughts. Absolutely not. It was a surprise. [Barcelona president Joan] Laporta was clear today about the reasons.

“As a supporter [of Barcelona], I’d love him to have finished at the club. I’ve just incredible gratitude for the most extraordinary player I’ve seen in my life.”

These Guardiola’s comment has prompt Plenty of Sky Blues to react on social media.

That confirms it then

— Ryan.🇧🇷 (@FavelaFIair) August 6, 2021

I hope this shut down all the rumors.

— papite (@jgedeon1717) August 6, 2021

PAIN

— Oleks (@ZinnySZN) August 6, 2021

Not really pain is it , he’s old and I’d rather keep our players and there happy than Messi being on a huge wage upsetting players , #kane

— Dylan (@dylanjackkwest) August 6, 2021

Wow. So we could’ve got him if we didn’t get Grealish

— Hamdan 🇦🇪 (@mcfchamdan) August 6, 2021

Dfkm hes not in our thoughts because of a number? Peps defo hiding something

— D̷a̷n̷ (@mcfc_king) August 6, 2021

Come on pep! YOU got this .

— Sam Kapoor (@SamKapo44885349) August 6, 2021

Sign him

— MC (@CrewsMat19) August 6, 2021

Tbf I’m sure grealish would give Messi 10 anyone would give Messi the number.

— alex (@alexquintani11a) August 6, 2021

Let's be happy with Grealish. We got him with great effort. Messi will not fit in our team. Focus on getting Harry Kane. We need a replacement of Aguero. We need a striker.

— Biswadeep Datta🇮🇳 (@BiswadeepDatta6) August 6, 2021