Barcelona presidential candidate reveals why Messi wants to leave, next club

Barcelona presidential candidate, Toni Freixa, believes that Lionel Messi will move to Manchester City.

City are favourites to land the 33-year-old, after he informed the club he wants to leave this summer.

According to Freixa, Messi's decision to dump the LaLiga club, has taken several years to arrive at and is irrevocable.

He claims the Argentine superstar has not been supported enough at the Camp Nou and backed him to recapture his magic under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.

Freixa told Goal: "I have heard from several sources that the decision by the player has matured over several years and is irrevocable. I don't think there is any going back.

"Messi is a player who longs for maximum success. He alone can't achieve maximum success, he needs a team to do it. He doesn't have that.

"I think City is likely. Messi had his most dazzling years in Barcelona with Pep. It would only make sense if both would work together again."