Inter Miami Star akd Argentina international Lionel Messi reveals the only Condition that will make Him consider coming to Pep Guardiola Manchester City by January after Rodri

The atmosphere around Chelsea has suddenly changed, and it feels heavy, tense, and full of uncertainty after events that unfolded following Liam Rosenior’s appointment and the controversial decisions made during the recent clash against Arsenal. What was supposed to be a fresh start, a new chapter filled with clarity and direction, has quickly turned into a source of frustration for players and fans alike. Now, two Chelsea star players are reportedly considering their future at the club, and the reason is simple but painful. They feel misunderstood, misused, and pushed into roles that do not suit their strengths.

The match against Arsenal was meant to be a test, a chance to show progress under the new setup. Instead, it became a moment of doubt and anger. Liam Rosenior’s tactical choices raised eyebrows across the football world, but inside the Chelsea dressing room, those decisions hit even harder. Playing key players in unnatural positions is never easy to accept, especially for footballers who have built their careers mastering specific roles. For these two Chelsea stars, being deployed out of position felt like a clear message that their qualities were not fully appreciated.

Footballers at the top level are sensitive to trust. They want to feel valued, understood, and respected by their manager. When that trust begins to crack, everything changes. Sources close to the club suggest that both players were deeply unhappy after the Arsenal game. Not because Chelsea lost, but because they felt exposed and ineffective due to tactical instructions that did not allow them to play to their strengths. One of them reportedly expressed frustration in the dressing room, saying he felt “lost” on the pitch. The other questioned whether his future role at the club would ever truly suit him.

Chelsea fans watching from the stands and at home noticed it too. These were players who normally influence games, players who demand the ball and make things happen. Against Arsenal, they looked uncomfortable, hesitant, and disconnected. That discomfort did not come from lack of effort, but from being forced into roles that limited their natural instincts. In modern football, versatility is praised, but there is a fine line between flexibility and confusion. Rosenior may have crossed that line too early.

The timing could not be worse for Chelsea. The club is already trying to rebuild its identity, regain consistency, and restore belief after seasons filled with instability. Losing the trust of key players at this stage could be disastrous. When stars begin to consider leaving, it sends a message throughout the squad. Confidence drops. Uncertainty spreads. Suddenly, the project feels fragile again.

While Chelsea are dealing with internal tension, another dramatic story is capturing attention across the football world. Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami superstar and Argentina international, has made headlines after reportedly revealing the one condition that would make him consider a shocking move to Manchester City in January. This revelation comes at a time when City are facing a serious crisis following Rodri’s injury, which has left a huge hole in Pep Guardiola’s midfield.

The idea of Lionel Messi joining Manchester City feels almost unreal, like a story from a football fantasy. Yet, history makes it believable. The partnership between Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi at Barcelona was not just successful, it was legendary. Together, they redefined football. They played with intelligence, freedom, and beauty that left fans in awe. Guardiola understood Messi like no other manager ever has, and Messi trusted Guardiola completely.

One of the most iconic decisions Guardiola ever made was moving Messi into the false nine role. At the time, it was a bold and risky move. Messi was already the best player in the world, but Guardiola saw something more. He saw space, movement, and chaos that Messi could create by drifting into central areas without being tied to a traditional striker’s position. The result was devastating for opponents. Defenders did not know whether to follow him or hold their line. Midfielders were overwhelmed. Spaces opened everywhere.

That tactical genius led to one of the most astonishing achievements in football history. In 2012, Lionel Messi scored 91 goals in a single calendar year. It was a number that felt impossible, a record that may never be broken. But it was not just about goals. It was about control, dominance, and understanding. Guardiola and Messi were on the same wavelength. They spoke the same football language.

Despite that incredible history, a reunion between the two seemed unlikely for years. Football moved on. Guardiola went to Bayern Munich, then Manchester City. Messi stayed at Barcelona longer than expected before leaving for Paris Saint-Germain and eventually moving to Inter Miami. The idea of them working together again slowly faded into a distant dream.

However, behind the scenes, that dream almost became reality. In 2020, when Messi’s future at Barcelona was uncertain, conversations reportedly took place between him and Guardiola. According to author Martí Perarnau, who has deep insight into Guardiola’s world, the two discussed the possibility of Messi joining Manchester City. Those conversations revealed just how strong their bond still was.

Guardiola reportedly told Messi that training in Manchester would be intense, demanding, and physically tough. Messi’s response showed his mindset. He said hard work did not bother him. He said he was ready. Guardiola then warned him about long tactical meetings, about detailed explanations that some players find boring. Messi’s answer was simple and powerful. He said he could cope with anything Guardiola threw at him.

Those words revealed mutual respect. Guardiola knew Messi would still be willing to learn, to listen, and to adapt. Messi knew Guardiola would still push him, challenge him, and bring the best out of him. Everything seemed aligned, yet the move did not happen. Circumstances, timing, and contracts got in the way. Messi stayed at Barcelona for another year before leaving Europe altogether.

Now, years later, the story has returned in a surprising way. Manchester City are struggling. Rodri’s injury has exposed how dependent the team is on him. Without his control, City look vulnerable, open, and unbalanced. Guardiola is searching for solutions, experimenting with systems, and trying to regain stability. In the middle of this crisis, reports suggest Messi has said he would only consider a move to Manchester City under one condition. That condition is Pep Guardiola himself.

Messi’s loyalty to Guardiola is well known. For him, it is not about money, status, or marketing. It is about football. It is about trust. If Guardiola calls, Messi listens. If Guardiola presents a clear plan, Messi considers it. The idea of helping Guardiola in a moment of crisis, of once again being part of a tactical masterpiece, could be tempting even at this stage of his career.

Still, the reality remains complicated. Messi is settled in Inter Miami. He is comfortable, happy, and enjoying a different pace of football. A move back to Europe would be physically demanding and emotionally challenging. But football has a way of surprising everyone. If Guardiola truly believes Messi could help City navigate their current problems, and if Messi believes he can still make a difference at the highest level, then the impossible suddenly feels possible.

As fans debate this potential reunion, the contrast with Chelsea’s situation is striking. At Manchester City, players dream of playing under Guardiola. At Chelsea, players are questioning whether they are being used correctly. That difference in trust, clarity, and identity is everything. Managers shape not just tactics, but emotions, belief, and loyalty.

For the two Chelsea stars considering leaving, the situation feels personal. They want clarity. They want to know where they fit. They want to play their natural game. If Rosenior cannot provide that reassurance quickly, their doubts may grow stronger. Transfer windows have a way of amplifying uncertainty. Agents start calling. Rumors spread. Suddenly, staying becomes harder than leaving.

Chelsea’s history is filled with dramatic exits, players leaving because they felt misunderstood or undervalued. Fans fear this could be another chapter in that long story. Losing talented players because of positional confusion would be a painful mistake, especially at a time when stability is desperately needed.

Football is cruel like that. One wrong decision, one poor tactical call, and relationships begin to fracture. Meanwhile, elsewhere, a legendary partnership still casts a long shadow over the game, reminding everyone what trust and understanding can achieve.

Whether Lionel Messi ever wears a Manchester City shirt remains uncertain. Whether the two Chelsea stars stay or leave will depend on what happens next. But these stories highlight one truth above all. Football is not just about talent. It is about feeling understood. It is about playing where you belong. And when that feeling disappears, even the biggest names start looking for a way out.