Guardiola wants Messi to finish his career at Barcelona

The Argentine handed in a transfer request on August 25, saying he wanted to exercise a clause in his contract which he said allowed him to leave for free.

However, Barca quashed his hopes and said that the £624m release clause would have to be met.

In an interview with Goal, Messi said Josep Maria Bartomeu didn't keep his word.

In the interview, Messi said that he was going to continue at Barca as paying the £624m release will be impossible by any other club.

"Now I am going to continue in the club because the president told me that the only way to leave was to pay the 700m clause, and that this is impossible," the Barcelona legend said.

Messi and Manchester City manager Guardiola wanted to renew their partnership.

This had put City in a prime position to land the Argentine.

Besides City, the likes of Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain were also keen to get Messi.

It was reported that senior Barca figures expected Messi to join City.

But the release clause has dealt a blow to everyone involved.

Messi's contract ends next summer and he could sign pre-contract terms with any club outside Spain from January 1.

"Messi is a Barcelona player. I said it a thousand times. As a fan, I want Leo to finish there," said Guardiola.

Guardiola also said it's up to Messi.

"His contract finishes this year [season] and I don't know what will happen in his mind."