Guardiola on Messi: "With €487m in losses, the decision was made"

Manchester CIty coach Pep Guardiola spoke about Lionel Messi's future after Barcelona confirmed the forward is leaving the club.

"It's come as a surprise for everyone," Guardiola said. "I think the president (Joan) Laporta has been clear about the reasons today.

"I haven't spoken with the president or with the player, but when you have losses of €487 million, the decision is made.

"It's important that the club is sustainable. And what's happened in recent years at Barcelona has not been very good in that sense."

Guardiola coached Messi between 2008 and 2012 when he was in charge of Barca's first team and helped him make the step from talented youngster to superstar.

"I can only thank him because he made me a better coach," the City boss added. "To be able to see what he does with the ball, with his teammates, whether in a game or training, was spectacular.

"Thanks (Messi) for making Barça dominate world football for a decade. I wish him the best, it won't be forgotten what he did. I would have loved to see him retire at Barcelona, he's the most extraordinary player I've seen in my lifetime."

Guardiola played down City's chances of signing Messi now he's a free agent after they invested in Jack Grealish, while Harry Kane remains a target.

"We spent €40m on Jack if you take of the €60m we've made in sales and we have given him the No.10 shirt," he said. "Messi is not in our plans."