Eric Garcia: Playing with Lionel Messi would be ‘very special’, says defender with Man City future unclear

Centre-back, who represented Barcelona at youth level, has not extended his contract with City

Manchester City defender Eric Garcia (left) and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (Getty)

Manchester City defender Eric Garcia has admitted it would be “very special” to play alongside Lionel Messi, with the centre-back’s future at the Etihad Stadium in doubt.

Garcia, who was born in Barcelona, represented the Blaugrana at youth level before moving to Man City in 2017.

After spending a year in the Premier League club’s academy, the now-20-year-old was promoted to Pep Guardiola’s first team.

But Garcia has made just 10 appearances across all competitions so far this season, having spent most of his time on the bench but having also been left out of Guardiola’s matchday squad entirely on numerous occasions.

And the defender has so far neglected to extend his contract with City, a matter that came up in a news conference ahead of Spain’s World Cup qualifier against Greece on Thursday, per Mundo Deportivo.

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“I made the decision [not to renew] at that time, what I will do later I do not know,” Garcia said.

“Now, I am focused on City and the national team.”

The centre-back admitted, however, his desire to play alongside Barcelona captain Lionel Messi before the 33-year-old retires – something that is unlikely to cool speculation around a return to the Catalan club for Garcia.

“Playing alongside Messi would be very special. He is the best in the world,” the 20-year-old said. “Everyone would say that.

“We see week after week what he does, and it is incredible.”