Gary Neville reckons Lionel Messi will end up staying at Barcelona.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has admitted that he would relish seeing Barcelona ace Lionel Messi play in the Premier League.

But, despite constant speculation suggesting Messi might seal a move to Manchester City this summer, the ex-England right-back does not believe the 33-year-old will leave the Catalan club.

“I think it’s politics and power struggle,” Neville said. “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.

“But if he were to come to the Premier League, I think it would be to work with Pep Guardiola. 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, is something to behold.

“Would I want to stand in the way of every single young fan in this country having the opportunity to 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!”

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