Lionel Messi is unlikely to leave Barcelona in the near future despite his ongoing contract situation, according to the CEO of Manchester City.
Messi, 29, faces a slightly uncertain future at the Nou Camp, as his contact runs out at the end of next season and he is yet to sign an extension.
City chief executive Ferran Soriano has no doubt Messi will remain a Barcelona player in the near future, however, and played down his chances of coming to Manchester.
He told Chinese news agency Xinhua when asked about Messi joining City: `No. I don`t think so. I know Messi very well. He and his family are my good friends.
`I think he has settled in Barcelona, and he has been in Barcelona all his life. Naturally we think he will finish his playing career in Barcelona.
`At least next year, maybe he can finish that career. After that he can go to China or US, but now I think he will stay in Barcelona.`
Soriano worked for Barcelona between 2003 and 2008, during which time Messi emerged as one of the world`s best players.
Messi has long been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium, ever since City became one of the world`s wealthiest clubs.
Soriano, who joined Manchester City in 2012, also said the club are interested in establishing a satellite team in China, similar to New York City FC and Melbourne City.
He said: `We believe we understand China and we want to have a team in China. But we want to do it at the right time and the right place. We have long-term prospective. We will never go to China for two years or three just to do a commercial deal. We want to go to China for the next decade.`
Source: Daily Mail Online