Manuel Pellegrini has rubbished suggestions that Manchester City are considering a swoop for Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
The Argentine sparked speculation over his future last week by admitting that a departure was not impossible, with City among those clubs linked.
However, Pellegrini says that the 27-year-old - who broke the all-time goalscoring record in La Liga on Saturday - will not be joining the Sky Blues.
"The rumours are only rumours," he told reporters. "What he did was exceptional and there are few players that can reach his level. The record he has got reflects how important he is for Barcelona."
Messi is contracted to the Catalan giants until 2018.
Written by
Shane Callaghan
Shane Callaghan
