Jose Mourinho talked to the press ahead of their Europa League match against Feyenoord and dismissed rumours linking Manchester United to Lionel Messi.
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has, perhaps, achieved it all at the club level. And even though the Argentine remains grateful towards the club for helping him become the global icon he is today, some incidents have marred the striker’s journey.
One of the most major incidents has been the tax fraud allegations that has surrounded the mercurial forward’s career in the recent past. There were reports that Lionel Messi rejected a contract extension offer by Barcelona during the summer, which led to rumours about a potential exit from the club.
There is bound to be interest in the player but the Premier League trio of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have been the ones most prominently linked with a move for the Argentine. There were even rumours circulating that Jose Mourinho, backed by Adidas, would attempt to secure a move for Messi.
Manchester United host Feyenoord in a Europa League tie in the group stage on Thursday. Jose Mourinho spoke to the press ahead of the match and discussed several matters in the presser on Wednesday. One of the topics raised was speculation linking Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi away from the Catalan giants with the Premier League the most likely destination.
Jose Mourinho, not only dismissed the speculation, but also, inexplicably, stated that Messi and Barcelona are made for each other.
Mourinho on signing Lionel Messi, “Messi is every season the same story, every season he is going to leave and then he never leaves.”
— Chris Winterburn (@Chriswin4) November 23, 2016
Mourinho on Messi, “I hope he never leaves, Messi belongs to Barcelona and Barcelona belongs to him.”
— Chris Winterburn (@Chriswin4) November 23, 2016
Mourinho on signing Messi, “For Man United, I am absolutely sure he won’t come.”
— Chris Winterburn (@Chriswin4) November 23, 2016
The Portuguese manager said, as per quotes from Marca, “Messi is every season the same story, every season he is going to leave and then he never leaves. I hope he never leaves, Messi belongs to Barcelona and Barcelona belongs to him. For Man United, I am absolutely sure he won’t come.”
Mourinho’s statements not only speak the truth, to a very large extent, but also shows that the Portuguese still has some place in his heart for Barcelona, the club where he received most of his footballing education as a coach.
