Lionel Messi was asked prior to the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday if he'd have interest in playing for another club.
“I am not sure If I will go back to Newell’s Old Boys one day,” he said. “I am not sure where I will be next year. I have always said that I will end my career at Barcelona but as Cristiano said: ‘Only God knows the future.’ Things in football can change overnight.”
Manchester United are likely the only English club that could afford to buy Messi, particularly if Barcelona demands his £195 million buyout fee in one payment.
Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, stated in July: “Whether it’s a [world] record or not doesn’t really resonate with us. What resonates is an elite player that the manager wants who is going to be a star for Manchester United.”
Manchester City have explored bringing the 27-year-old from Barcelona and retain an interest in him, but Uefa’s financial fair play rules mean the champions would struggle to generate enough revenue and have the requisite cash reserves to buy the four-times world player of the year.
Messi’s comment came hours after he said it was “lies” that there had been conversations between his representatives and City and Chelsea.
Messi told Barça TV: “I don’t demand anything for me to stay because I have no intention of leaving anywhere. I’ve heard stories I’ve spoken to Chelsea or City, that’s all lies.”
