You talk as if he his at the peak of his powers with Barcelona at the top of the tree.Messi does so much for the club. Even at age 33/34. The brand exposure, the sales, the rise in interest of the world in our club. It also puts a stamp on the club. The club who was able to prize the greatest player in history away from Barcelona. He'll sign in January, and if not, I am sure our management will do just fine.
He is 33 coming to the end of a glorious career, he is at a club in turmoil a shadow of a once wonderful club.
2017, that was his chance to leave, at 30 , the perfect age to begin a new chapter, a new club on the rise, a new league and culture. He did not make that decision for whatever reason, a great shame, because the Messi in 2017 was without doubt the world's greatest player.
2017 was the year the manager Messi respected the most had arrived and rebuilt Manchester City as a Pep team, Messi would have been the cherry on the top of a wonderful side, again , Messi did not make the decision.
2020/21 City need a partial rebuild is Messi at 33/34 the man for that ?