Lionel Messi would be the undisputed main man at Manchester City... but would he swap Barcelona's dominance for a tantalising reunion with Pep Guardiola?

• Pep Guardiola will take over as Manchester City manager in the summer
• Guardiola has a fantastic relationship with Barcelona star Lionel Messi 
• He helped Messi become the world's best players during their time at Barca
• City have a strong Argentine contingent - led by striker Sergio Aguero

The sight of Lionel Messi dancing his way between their defenders has become a painful and all-too-familiar one for Manchester City supporters these past couple of years.

Back in February 2014, the Argentine master scored from the penalty spot at the Etihad Stadium, having dusted himself down from a challenge that earned Martin Demichelis a red card. Another Messi goal in the Nou Camp three weeks later settled the last-16 tie in Barcelona's favour.

And last season, with City handed the same harsh last-16 fate, Messi waltzed past a number of feeble challenges to help tee up Luis Suarez for his second goal of the first leg.

His trickery also drew a late penalty, only for Joe Hart to save and Messi nod the rebound wide. It didn't matter, Barcelona ultimately advanced.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has tormented Manchester City in the Champions League last 16 in the past

City defender Martin Demichelis (right) was sent off for this challenge on Messi back in February 2014

Messi (right) skips past City captain Vincent Kompany during Barca's 2-1 win at the Etihad last season

Such rampant class, such incredible impact at the crucial junctures. How City's fans must have wished the boot was on the other foot.

Well, with the confirmation that Pep Guardiola is to become their new manager in the summer, that tantalising prospect has moved a little bit closer.

Ever since Guardiola declared he would be leaving the Bayern Munich dug-out and seeking a new challenge in the Premier League, the Messi to Manchester rumour mill has been spinning ever faster.

Pep Guardiola has been confirmed as Manchester City's new manager for the forthcoming season

Bayern Munich boss Guardiola has agreed a three-year deal to take over as City manager in the summer

Guardiola (right) helped Messi become the world's greatest player during their time together at Barcelona. The pair are pictured at the Nou Camp in 2010

Guardiola (left) and Messi (centre right) embrace after winning the 2009 Champions League

During Guardiola's spell as Barca boss, the pair won three La Liga titles as well as two Champions Leagues

HOW SPORTSMAIL LED THE WAY 

Our back page on Thursday, December 17

Pep's on his way to Man City (Dec 17)

City stars think Pep is on his way (Dec 23)

JOE BERNSTEIN: Pep could build a dynasty rivalling Sir Alex (Jan 6)

MARTIN SAMUEL: Pep will make City serial winners (Jan 11) 

The news that former Barcelona boss Guardiola is to replace Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad will only encourage this - but how likely is a reunion between Messi and the man who helped make him the world's greatest? 

The astronomical transfer fee will not be an issue for City. Messi is 28 and therefore theoretically in his pomp. He has a strong resilience to injuries and has demonstrated a magnificently consistent scoring record for almost a decade now.

A fee northwards of £100m, making him comfortably the most expensive player in history, is a given and something City would happily pay given that Messi would elevate them to genuine contenders for the Champions League. They would reasonably expect another 4-5 years at the same standard.

The associated prestige of the signing and the enormous commercial potential of Messi's name around the globe would easily offset any outlay in transfer fees and salary - which would easily approach £300,000-a-week.

Messi would be among friends too. Guardiola, of course, his mentor and guiding hand at Barcelona during a four-year spell in which he won three La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, two Champions League crowns and three Ballon d'Or accolades.

In the boardroom, the presence of chief executive officer Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain, both formerly of Barcelona, would help smooth the transition to English football and ensure Messi gets everything he needs.

Plus, a strong Argentine contingent in the dressing room, led by Sergio Aguero, would guarantee Messi adapts quickly to the rigours of the English game and life in Manchester.

These factors, plus City's ambition to take the next step and conquer Europe, make them easily the snuggest fit were Messi to decide to leave Barcelona.

City star striker Sergio Aguero is a good friend of Messi's - with the pair having together for Argentina

PEP GUARDIOLA CAREER STATS 

BARCELONA:

La Liga: 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11

Copa del Rey: 2008-09, 2011-12

Spanish Super Cup: 2009, 2010, 2011

Champions League: 2008-09, 2010-11

UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011

FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011

BAYERN MUNICH: 

Bundesliga: 2013-14, 2014-15

German Cup: 2013-14

UEFA Super Cup: 2013

FIFA Club World Cup: 2013

And therein lies the issue. Guardiola would have to convince him that a new challenge in England is necessary - and that's no mean feat.

Barcelona's reign of dominance in Spanish - and continental - football shows no signs of drawing to a close. Luis Enrique has continued the Guardiola legacy and the club continue to invest shrewdly in players that will preserve their world class standards.

Messi recently surpassed 500 appearances for the club, has 433 first-team goals - a tally that increases every few days - and re-writes football's record books with frightening regularity.

It is a pretty good existence but Guardiola may persuade him that the thrill of elevating another club to Barcelona's level - thereby confirming his own immortal status in the game - is the way forward.

He might also argue that Neymar - six years younger - is the new poster boy at the Nou Camp, whereas Messi would be the undisputed main man at City.

Aguero admitted his friend's life is 'very comfortable and very calm' in Barcelona in a recent interview, hinting it would take a great effort of diplomacy - or untold riches - to lure Messi away.

But, with Guardiola now safely in situ from the summer, it is a dream that has moved a little bit closer to becoming reality. 

Messi's Barcelona team-mate Neymar is seen by many as the heir to his throne at the Nou Camp

10 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT NEW CITY BOSS PEP GUARDIOLA

ONE: As a youngster doing ball-boy duties, Guardiola was once refused an autograph by Michel Platini, when he offered a poster of the Frenchman which had adorned Guardiola's childhood wall.

TWO: Guardiola is an art lover, and spent much of his sabbatical in New York - after leaving Barcelona - around the galleries of the Big Apple.

THREE: Guardiola's clothing has made headlines in the past. He wore a T-shirt in a pre-match press conference last season ahead of the Champions League clash with Porto carrying a slogan promoting a campaign for justice surrounding the death of an Argentine journalist. Guardiola then celebrated Bayern's come-from-behind victory over Porto just that little bit too much, causing a noticeable tear down one side of his trousers. He has famous company on that front at least in David Moyes and Jose Mourinho.

FOUR: Speaking of clothes, Guardiola's relationship with wife Cristina Serra grew around the latter's family clothes shop in Manresa, in Spain's north east.

FIVE: A love of smart clothes naturally translates to a love of.... golf. A keen player, Guardiola attended the 2012 'Miracle in Medinah' on the invitation of Europe's Ryder Cup captain and compatriot Jose Maria Olazabal.

SIX: Aside from his playing career in Europe, Guardiola spent time with Al Ahly of Qatar and then Dorados de Sinaloa of Mexico, which proved his swansong.

SEVEN: Guardiola does not conduct one-on-one interviews - only press conferences.

EIGHT: Guardiola is from the small Catalan town of Santpedor in north-east Spain. In honour of Guardiola's achievements, the home ground of local team Santpedor was given the name Camp Municipal Josep Guardiola.

NINE: The municipal council also named Guardiola their 'favourite son of the town' in October 2009.

TEN: When preparing for life in Germany, Guardiola reportedly spent hours with a German teacher while in New York. He gave parts of his first Bayern Munich press conference in German.