Daily Schmankerl: Man City weighing Messi transfer, PM Trudeau congratulates Davies, Leverkusen denies Havertz agreement, and MORE!

Manchester City calculating the possibility of signing Leo Messi (ESPN)

Since losing 8-2 at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League QF’s, Leo Messi’s future at Barcelona has been looking incredibly uncertain. Credible reports out of Spain claim the Argentine legend is looking a move away from the Catalan capital, owing to differences with club management.

Until now, we’ve not had any indication of which club could afford him in this market. However, according to ESPN, Manchester City might be willing to take a crack at it. No longer constrained by FFP spending limits, the Citizens are weighing the costs involved in signing the best player in the world. The article still mentions that Pep Guardiola has no real intention of prying Messi away from Barca, or that a move would actually be realistically feasible.

However, this doesn’t mean that Barcelona couldn’t budge, or something couldn’t change in the next few weeks. After all, who expected the Neymar transfer before it happened? Or Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to PSG? Personally, I would 8-2 Messi leave Barca, so hopefully he grits his teeth and bears it for another year, until club elections take place.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulates Alphonso Davies

With his Champions League win on Sunday, 19-year-old Bayern youngster Alphonso Davies became the first Canadian Men’s international player to win the UCL (I’ve gotta be specific to avoid a war in the comments). His achievement turned plenty of heads, including that of the PM, Justin Trudeau:

Phonzie’s story is a true inspiration and his growth as a player is a source of pride and wonder for Bayern fans worldwide. Who would’ve though that when we signed him from the Vancouver Whitecaps, a frankly mediocre MLS team, that he would be the key player in a treble winning squad just a couple of years later? Even the most optimistic fan couldn’t have hoped for this.

Given that Phonzie extended his contract with Bayern after the Chelsea game, he’s set to stay here for a looooooong time. Here’s to many more UCL titles for him and us!

Voller gonna Voller

After several reliable news outlets reported that Kai Havertz’s move to Chelsea was a done deal, Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller immediately chose to deny the reports:

So, what’s the truth? It’s likely that Voller is just blowing hot air, and the transfer will be completed in the coming weeks. So long Kai, we barely knew ye.

Austria call up David Alaba

Instead of giving him a rest, Austria have called up David Alaba for their upcoming Nations League games against Norway and Romania. We can’t help but think this is a bad idea. He’s played an incredible amount of football this season, he deserves a rest.

Whoscored have revealed their Champions League Team of the Season

Bayern are well-represented, but there probably should be more. Thomas Muller? Leon Goretzka? Proof that stats aren’t everything.

Another interesting stat from the final

That’s all for today! Enjoy your week, folks!