Context? Picture this: It’s 2016, and Pep Guardiola is building his dream Manchester City squad. In his sights? A 20-year-old winger from Schalke with electric pace and a flair for the dramatic—Leroy Sané. But here’s the kicker: Liverpool was lurking, ready to pounce. So how did Pep seal the deal? Simple. He dangled the ultimate carrot—Lionel Messi.
According to the Daily Star, Guardiola told Sané he wanted him to emulate Messi, the very player Pep had molded into a footballing god during his Barcelona reign. Flattery? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. Who could say no to being groomed as the next Messi by the man who wrote the blueprint?
Sané’s City Stint
Fast forward to his time at City, and it’s safe to say Pep unlocked some of that Messi-like potential. Sané dazzled in the Premier League, becoming a fan favorite with his speed, skill, and knack for game-changing moments. His four-year stint yielded back-to-back league titles and a PFA Young Player of the Year award. Not bad for a “Messi understudy.”
But then came 2020 and a €50 million move to Bayern Munich. The script seemed perfect: a German star returning home to dominate. Except…
Did Sané Deliver?
Context? This is where the fairy tale gets a bit messy. Sané’s time at Bayern has been a mixed bag. Sure, he’s had moments of brilliance, but consistency? That’s been his Achilles’ heel. His tendency to shine in the first half of a season and fade post-winter break has left Bayern fans scratching their heads.
And now, with his contract expiring next year and no signs of an extension, Sané might be packing his bags again.
Sané’s Future
Could a Premier League return be on the cards? Or will he find a new challenge elsewhere? One thing’s for sure: wherever he goes, the “Pep promised me Messi” narrative will follow.
Context? Maybe Sané should be glad he’s not at City right now, given their current seven-game winless streak—a stat unheard of under Guardiola. Still, wouldn’t it be poetic if he came back to help them bounce back? Because he could over the next summer.
What do you think? Did Pep’s Messi pitch set Sané up for greatness, or was it a burden too heavy to bear?
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