Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes former charge Lionel Messi could one day play in England but hopes he stays put at Barcelona.

Messi has been instrumental to Barcelona’s success over the past decade having reached new heights in Guardiola’s four-year tenure as Barca boss, during which time the side claimed three La Liga and two Champions League titles.

Now, coach and player are set to go head-to-head as rivals in what will be the first clash between the pair since Guardiola took over the reins at City.

‘My greatest wish is for him to finish his career here. So he can play many years here, because this is the best place for him to stay. But eventually, one day, the kid may decide to play elsewhere,’ Guardiola told Sky Sports.

The Spaniard insists that should Messi ever quit Barca one day, he will have little influence over where the Argentine decides to play.

‘If one day he decides to do so, and I wish it won’t happen, but if it happens there will be a list of four, five people and clubs wanting to sign him.

‘But you know who is going to decide that? It will be he. It won’t be me, if I want to sign him, or anybody else. It will be the decision of Leo Messi,’ Guardiola concluded.

City and Barca’s Champions League clash is set to take place at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Kick-off is at 20:45.