Lionel Messi has been learning English ever since his Man City links began

Lionel Messi has revealed that he has been learning English for the last year having been linked with a move to Premier League champions Manchester City in 2020.

After rumours emerged during the summer transfer window last year that Messi did not want to sign a new deal at Barcelona, he was linked with both City and Inter Milan.

His decision to start learning English implies he may have been open to a reunion with Pep Guardiola, who Messi won two Champions Leagues playing under for Barcelona.

Following the expiry of his Barca contract at the start of July, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal on Tuesday.

Speaking to Guillem Balague following his PSG unveiling, Messi confirmed that he has been learning English but it is not yet able to speak it fluently.

Balague joked with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner about conducting the interview in French and said: "You also wouldn't have had time to learn English…"

Messi responded: "I've been learning English for a year and a half," as Balague stated that despite learning English for a year, once he arrived in the country he realised he barely knew the language.

"But when you're there in England, you get to learn it through necessity… Yeah, exactly. I understand it but I don't speak it," replied Messi.

The pair then joked that the 34-year-old only knew enough English to be able to speak to referees and officials in the Champions League.

Messi's decision to start learning English during 2020 coincided with reports suggesting he wanted to leave Barcelona and saw him linked with both City and Serie A giants Inter.

A move to Manchester would have seen Messi reunite with Pep Guardiola, who he played under in Spain between 2008 and 2012, winning 12 trophies in the process.

The Argentine ultimately stayed at Barcelona for the 2020/21 season before his contract expired on July 1 and he had been expected to resign for the club.

However, the deal was blocked by La Liga due to the club's financial irregularities and Barca announced Messi's departure from the club in an official statement on August 5.

City announced the £100million signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa shortly after Barca's announcement which resulted in limited reports linking them with free agent Messi.

Instead, he joined up with former team-mate Neymar in Paris, signing a two-year deal with the option for a third and he will wear the number 30 shirt for the club.

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