Pep Guardiola could rebuild his Manchester City team around Lionel Messi if the Argentine gets his wish and leaves Barcelona, according to former Nou Camp great Rivaldo.
Messi's lawyers informed Barcelona Tuesday that the Argentine wanted to take up a release clause in his contract which could allow him to leave for nothing.
Barca insist the release clause has expired and that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner can only leave if a rival club is willing to pay a 700m euro ($825m) buyout clause.
Rivaldo hopes the two parties can reach a compromise but while he would be sad to see Messi leave Barca after almost two decades, during which he has helped them win 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues, he thinks City would be a good choice.
City boss Guardiola has lost his Spanish playmaker David Silva and has a big job on his hands trying to close the gap on Liverpool who won the Premier League by 18 points.
Rivaldo believes Guardiola, who enjoyed trophy-laden years as Barca manager with Messi in his pomp, would love to have the opportunity to work with him again.
Rivaldo says new Barca manager Ronald Koeman will build from "almost nothing" if Messi and Luis Suarez both leave.
