Pep Guardiola would want Lionel Messi to finish his career at Barcelona notwithstanding the numerous speculations linking the Argentine to the Etihad.

The Spaniard extended his contract which was due after the season to 2023, ending numerous speculations linking him to Barcelona.

His commitment has fueled rumours that Lionel Messi’s departure from the Camp Nou is inevitable, with the 33-year old’s current contract due after the season.

The former manager of the six-time Balon d’Or winner prefers Messi to complete his career with Blaugranas following the records he has achieved with the club and even though he might prefer a move out of Spain, Pep refused to reveal City interest.

"Messi is a player from Barcelona if you ask me my opinion I have a huge gratitude for what Barcelona has done for me, what I want is for him to finish his career there,” he said in a press conference.

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"I would love, wish, I have said a thousand times. I would like as a Barcelona fan for him to finish his career then. I don't know what is in his mind, for now, he is a Barcelona player. The transfer market is in June."

Rivaldo earlier hinted that Messi is in his final season with Barcelona after his determination to leave the La Liga before the start of the current season. After failure for the current board to sanction his move, the player decided to see out his agreement.

The FIFA Best player will be a free agent from January next year and despite his commitment, the likelihood of his departure is high after City ace Trevor Sinclair told that Pep’s new deal will help stimulate Messi’s arrival at the Etihad.

“For me, you look at what has gone one with him signing a new two-year contract, there are rumours Kevin De Bruyne is going to sign a new contract… I think Messi is inevitable,” Sinclair said of Guardiola’s new contract on Friday’s talkSPORT Breakfast. “I can’t see anything other than that. And I look at the club I supported, ‘little old Manchester City’, signing the best player in the world and possibly winning the Champions League…”