Live

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 AM-01:00 PM

Highlights on Off The Ball
Advertisement
Soccer

WATCH: Mauricio Pochettino addresses talk of Messi joining PSG

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino has done little to quell the talk of Lionel Me...



WATCH: Mauricio Pochettino add...
Soccer

WATCH: Mauricio Pochettino addresses talk of Messi joining PSG

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino has done little to quell the talk of Lionel Messi joining the Ligue 1 side. 

Almost immediately after Barcelona announced they could not get a contract extension over the line, Messi was being linked with the Parisian giants.

Marca have gone so far as to say Messi will be continuing his career in the French capital barring a major shock.

The 34-year old had also been linked with a City Group deal, which would see him spend the next two seasons at Manchester City before riding off into the sunset in MLS with New York City.

But after splashing out £100million (€117m) on Jack Grealish, and handing him the no.10 shirt, Guardiola claims any interest there was in Messi is no longer live, "We spent £40m on Jack Grealish," he said, "We paid £100m and brought £60m.

"He will wear the number 10 because we were convinced with Grealish and we were were convinced Leo would continue at Barcelona, so right now he is not in our thoughts."

But PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino was not so coy when facing the media ahead of their opening Ligue 1 game of the season away to Troyes.

"We are focused on the start of the season," Pochettino said, "At the same time, the club are working quietly but strongly to improve the team in order to achieve the goals set for this season.

He added, "Messi is a player for whom we all know what happened on Thursday, I'm not going to say the opposite.

"But I think we are focused on winning against Troyes, to have a good game and to start the season well.

"At the same time, [sporting director] Leonardo and our president [Nasser Al-Khelaifi] are working to improve the team."

Asked if Messi's position was one in which he wants to strengthen, Pochettino responded, "Rather than the position, when you talk about players of his stature, I think that many clubs - and in this case Paris Saint-Germain - these opportunities sometimes come up and sometimes they don't.

"The club is working hard, as I said, and if there's any information we will let you know.

"In every case we are evaluating the options, and of course, this is one of those.

"When we talk about the transfer window it is obvious that this is something that could happen, but our responsibility as coaches is to make sure the players who are available tomorrow for Troyes are focused on the game so that we get the three points we want tomorrow."

Messi | Guardiola admits there was interest at City in signing Barca superstar

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Barcelona Joan Laporta Lionel Messi Manchester City Mauricio Pochettino Messi PSG Paris Saint Germain Pep Guardiola