Mourinho Taunts City Over Messi Pursuit

Jose Mourinho seemingly could not resist taunting old rival Pep Guardiola and Manchester City over their failed pursuit of Lionel Messi recently.

Read: Coutinho's Future Confirmed

The Argentine confirmed on Friday that he will be staying at FC Barcelona after the club insisted on not letting him leave for free in this window.

The news came as a massive blow for City, who had reportedly offered him a massive €700 overall salary package.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mourinho was recently asked if Messi was ever a viable option for his club, and it appears the outspoken manager could not resist taking a dig at Guardiola's side with his response.

"(Would I sign Messi) for my (online football manager simulation game) Top Eleven team? No, not for Tottenham. Just for Top Eleven," Mourinho told Joe.co.uk in a promotional video for Top Eleven.

"We respect Financial Fair Play at Tottenham.

"He can only go to a team that doesn't respect Financial Fair Play, so it's not Tottenham, for sure."

The Citizens were punished by UEFA in recent months for allegedly breaking Financial Fair Play rules, but the ruling was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Check out images of Messi and Philippe Coutinho taking part in their first full Barca training session under Ronald Koeman: