Sean Dyche reveals Pep Guardiola advised Lionel Messi to avoid Premier League

The Argentine was constantly linked with a move to Manchester City after leaving Barca.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who loves Lionel Messi more than Pep Guardiola. The manager of Manchester City never passes up the chance to compliment his former Barcelona player. According to Pep, no one can match the renowned Argentine.

The documentary series ‘Together: Champions Again!’ featured footage of Guardiola explaining to his Man City team why Lionel Messi is unlike any other player he has ever seen.

The Catalan coach has consistently responded with a resounding “no” when reporters previously questioned whether Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are comparable to Messi because of their respective stats and passing prowess.

Given this, it’s puzzling that Lionel Messi never made it to Man City. In 2021, his unexpected departure from Barcelona appeared to be the ideal chance.

Despite being 34 years old at the time, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had the talent to have a significant impact at Etihad Stadium.

Messi continues to have flashes of pure genius as he gets closer to turning 38, as evidenced by his spectacular free kick in Inter Miami’s unexpected 2-1 victory over FC Porto at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. However, none other than Sean Dyche has now disclosed the reason why Lionel Messi never signed with Man City.

Sean Dyche provides the reason behind Lionel Messi not joining Manchester City

Dyche:

“I said, ‘What was that thing about Lionel Messi.’

“He (Guardiola) goes, ‘Sean, Steve, I tell you this. Lionel, he said no way can he come to Manchester City. Because I tell Lionel it rains. It rains and rains. And when it stops raining, it rains again.’

“Then he goes, ‘Lionel, on a Monday night, you have to go to Burnley, Sean’s team. And they go bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.’ Brucey was crying!”

In an interview with talkSPORT, Dyche disclosed that Guardiola was the one who unexpectedly advised Messi against joining the Premier League.

The former manager of Burnley and Everton remembered a humorous exchange he had with Steve Bruce and Guardiola, who is regarded as the best manager in football history.

Guardiola’s concerns about Messi were subsequently validated by Dyche, who said: “I said, ‘That’s precisely what we’re going to do, Pep. You were right to warn him.”

“Imagine that, his face turning up at Turf Moor going, ‘What on earth?'” Dyche continued, expressing his frustration at the idea of Messi showing up at Burnley’s stadium.

“Absolutely smashing it down with rain, wind blowing across and knocking you over.”

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