Los 40 USA
Sign in to commentAPP
spainSPAINchileCHILEcolombiaCOLOMBIAusaUSAmexicoMEXICOlatin usaLATIN USAamericaAMERICA

Manchester City

Guardiola rejects idea that Arteta involved in fight with Messi

The Manchester City manager rejected the idea that there was any altercation and insisted that Mikel Arteta was not involved.

Manchester City v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Group Stage
Jason CairnduffREUTERS

Manchester City face Middlesborough this weekend but Pep Guardiola was busy putting out fires in his pre-match press conference.

First there was the Yaya Toure apology and the questions that brought and then there was the speculation regarding a fight at the Etihad on Wednesday night after City's 3-1 victory involving Lionel Messi and a City player.

Guardiola denied there was any major altercation between City players and staff and Barcelona's Lionel Messi following City's 3-1 midweek Champions League victory over the Catalan side.

Lionel Messi stands on the pitch after Barcelona's defeat at the hands of Manchester City
Full screen
Lionel Messi stands on the pitch after Barcelona's defeat at the hands of Manchester CityPETER POWELLEFE

Mikel Arteta named as an alleged instigator

Reports claimed a furious Messi was involved in a confrontation with City coach Mikel Arteta.

But Guardiola insisted: "I spoke with Arteta. It's impossible, he admires so many things about Barcelona, the institution, about Messi in this case.

"And knowing Mikel as I know him, he's one of the best people I've met in my life, it's impossible that he could have an argument with another excellent person like Messi. Impossible.

"First it was Fernandinho, now it's Arteta, let's see who it is tomorrow (Saturday). Let's see if you finally guess," added Guardiola sarcastically.