Month: September 2020

Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro responded to President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE’s attack Wednesday by saying he and his brother, Rep. Joaquin CastroJoaquin CastroTop Hispanic Caucus members endorse Melissa Mark-Viverito in NY House primary Ousted watchdog says he told top State aides about Pompeo probe CHC says George Floyd death shows ‘tiny fraction’ of what people of color confront in their daily lives MORE (D-Texas), will keep fighting.

“Joaquin and I will keep fighting. The American people will fight every day for our nation, against your hate, your corruption, and your ego. And we’ll win. #AdiósTrump,” Castro tweeted along with a video clip from the Democratic debate.

Joaquin and I will keep fighting. The American people will fight every day for our nation, against your hate, your corruption, and your ego. And we’ll win. #AdiósTrump https://t.co/nC0haWRydr pic.twitter.com/mMneHqXyT5

Click Here: cd universidad catolica— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) August 8, 2019

Trump lashed out at the Castros on Twitter on Wednesday night after the congressman tweeted names of prominent San Antonio-area Trump donors. 

Trump initially misspelled Joaquin Castro’s name. The deleted tweet was replaced with another echoing the same message. 

“I don’t know who Joaquin Castro is other than the lesser brother of a failed presidential candidate (1%) who makes a fool of himself every time he opens his mouth. Joaquin is not the man that his brother is, but his brother, according to most, is not much. Keep fighting Joaquin!” Trump tweeted.ADVERTISEMENT

Members of Trump’s campaign had criticized Joaquin Castro for sharing the list of donors. 

Candidates are required to disclose names and employers of donors who give $200 or more in Federal Election Commission filings, which are publicly available online. 

Trump’s tweet came as he was leaving El Paso, Texas, after visiting victims of Saturday’s mass shooting that killed 22 people. 

Religious and demographic change expert Robert Jones warned Democrats ahead of the 2020 election that the Republican Party has the equivalent of a “time machine” when it comes to winning over white, Christian voters across the country. 

In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Friday, Jones said Republicans appear to “turn back time” at the ballot box because white, Christian communities show up in larger numbers than minorities.

Democrats, he said, cannot count on America’s “dramatically” changing demographics to defeat President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE next year.

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“One of the dynamics in the U.S. is that white, Christian voters turn out to vote at higher rates than other Americans do. One of the ironies of our current situation is that we are in a place where the country is changing quite dramatically, and part that change is a decline in the percentages of white Christians in the country,” Jones said.

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According to Jones, 54 percent of Americans identified as white and Christian a decade ago. Today, that number has dropped to 41 percent. 

“When you kind of compare the voting population composition to the current demographic population, it basically looks like a time machine that takes you back about two presidential election cycles,” Jones said.

“It gives Republicans basically this edge in national elections in particular, which they don’t actually have in the country right now,” he added later.

Trump’s continued popularity with conservative Christian caucasians, he said, could make up for the lack of enthusiasm for the president among minorities.

A Fox News poll conducted July 21-23 did find Trump had a 22 percent approval rating among black registered voters.

Trump, however, has told reporters that he is supported by black communities for policies like the criminal justice reform First Step Act.

Beto O’Rourke will give a major speech Thursday morning in an effort to infuse his presidential campaign with new life  — and it could be his last chance.

The former Texas congressman has struggled to gain traction since entering the Democratic race in March, never recapturing the excitement that surrounded his Senate bid against incumbent Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump’s public standing sags after Floyd protests GOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police MORE (R-Texas) last year.

But O’Rourke has been catapulted back to national attention in the most tragic circumstances imaginable — the Aug. 3 mass shooting in his hometown of El Paso, Texas, that left 22 people dead.

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O’Rourke came off the campaign trail when the shooting happened, and has been a powerful voice of support for the victims. 

He has also brought new vigor to his criticisms of President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE, whom O’Rourke holds culpable for employing incendiary rhetoric and creating a toxic atmosphere. 

The sole suspect in the shooting appears to have posted an online manifesto in which he expressed anger about an “invasion” of Latino immigrants — a term Trump has also used.

At one point, O’Rourke profanely lambasted members of the media for, as he sees it, failing to “connect the dots” between Trump, racism and violence.

“You know the shit he’s been saying,” O’Rourke told reporters, referring to Trump. “He’s been calling Mexican immigrants ‘rapists’ and ‘criminals.’ I dunno, like members of the press, What the f—? … It’s these questions that you know the answers to … He’s not ‘tolerating’ racism, he is promoting racism.”

The moment went viral, as did another encounter O’Rourke had with a witness to the shooting. O’Rourke gave the man, identified as Sean Nixon, his personal cellphone number and the two embraced.

Such moments can always be viewed through a cynical lens but, in this case, there is a widespread sense that O’Rourke’s feelings are sincere.

Keir Murray, a Democratic strategist in Texas, said, “I thought his response came across as very genuine. He was in a unique position to offer the response that he did because it is his city. It is a fine line and I think he largely walked it pretty well, and he did demonstrate some of his strengths.”

Robert Shrum, who was chief strategist for 2004 Democratic nominee John KerryJohn Forbes KerryThe Memo: Trump’s troubles deepen as voters see country on wrong path The continuous whipsawing of climate change policy Budowsky: United Democrats and Biden’s New Deal MORE, agreed. 

“I think the reason he was so powerful was that he was genuinely expressing what he believed. I don’t think it was a political strategy,” Shrum said. “There is a kind of cynical reflex that says, ‘A-ha! This is a tactical move or a strategic move.’ I don’t think it was.”

The key political question now is whether O’Rourke’s campaign can gain some much-needed momentum as the mass shooting fades from the headlines.

NBC News on Wednesday reported that his speech in El Paso on Thursday morning would revolve around three key themes: racism, white supremacy and guns. It will also mark O’Rourke’s return to full-on campaign mode.

An Economist-YouGov poll released on Wednesday gave some reasons to be optimistic for O’Rourke’s camp, even as it also made clear the scale of the challenge he faces.

The poll put O’Rourke at 5 percent support among Democrats nationally. That was his best result in any major national poll since mid-June and put him very close to South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE (6 percent) and California Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (8 percent). Both candidates have attracted a lot more positive media attention than has O’Rourke.

On the other hand, O’Rourke’s share of support in that poll still showed a huge gulf between him and the front-runners, with former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE at 23 percent and Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) at 20 percent.

More broadly, some political experts fear that O’Rourke has never provided a compelling enough rationale for his candidacy, nor shown the qualities that would differentiate him from his rivals.

“His ability to emote and convey empathy and an air of commitment to his politics, is certainly one of his strengths,” said James Henson, the director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. 

“But one of the things that we’ve seen is that is not enough, at least in this field, given that he is not the only one able to do that — and that there are more established candidates in the field.”

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Skeptics also note that O’Rourke has struggled at the highest political level. 

His performances in both of the televised Democratic primary debates so far have been uninspired. His fundraising, hugely impressive during his Senate race, was lackluster in the second quarter of this year, when he brought in about $3.6 million. By contrast, Buttigieg led the field with $24.8 million.

Previous attempts at rebooting his campaign, such as one in May that included an appearance on ABC’s “The View,” have fallen flat.

Henson said of the aftermath of the El Paso shooting “one hesitates to call something like that an ‘opportunity,’ but it has given him an unfortunate opportunity to re-present himself to the public.”

But, he added, “I am a little skeptical that it is enough to do much more than potentially raise his name recognition a bit. But, as always, it depends what he does with that.”

O’Rourke will begin answering that question on Thursday morning.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage, primarily focused on Donald Trump’s presidency.

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The Cook Political Report shifted its forecast of the Maine Senate election from “lean Republican” to “toss-up” on Friday, signaling a tight reelection race for Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsRepublicans prepare to punt on next COVID-19 relief bill Trump tweets spark fresh headache for Republicans Trump’s tweet on protester sparks GOP backlash  MORE (R).

Collins won her last reelection bid in 2014 by more than 30 points but is expected to face a much tighter race this time around, with the leader of the state’s House of Representatives, Sara Gideon (D), announcing she would challenge the four-term senator.

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A press release Friday from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) claimed that the incumbent senator’s support had cratered in the state following her confirmation vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett KavanaughBrett Michael KavanaughGOP senators urge Trump to back off Murkowski threat Judd Gregg: A government in free fall The 7 most anticipated Supreme Court decisions MORE last year, a controversial vote that Democrats argue pushed her outside the label of “moderate.”

“This is the latest in a string of bad news for the vulnerable incumbent, who has continued to lose support among Mainers and seen her net approval drop by a ‘stunning’ amount since President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE took office,” the DSCC said in a press release, quoting a Morning Consult analysis.

The senator defended her vote to confirm Kavanaugh last month in an interview with The New York Times, telling the newspaper she did not regret her vote “in the least.”

Gideon, meanwhile, hammered Collins for the vote in her campaign announcement earlier this year.

“At one point, maybe Sen. Collins was different, but she doesn’t seem that way anymore: taking over a million dollars from drug companies and the insurance industry and voting to put Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court,” Gideon said.

Collins’s campaign did not immediately return a request for comment from The Hill.

A spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Campaign (NRSC) told The Hill in a statement that Gideon was “plagued by scandal,” and characterized Gideon’s primary opponent Betsy Sweet as “too liberal.”

“Susan Collins has the most bipartisan record in the U.S. Senate because she works with members of both parties to deliver results for Maine families. She is in a strong position because voters know that Collins is an independent voice for Maine, while Sara Gideon is plagued with scandal and Betsy Sweet is too liberal,” Nathan Brand said.

Little polling exists of the 2020 Maine Senate race so far, but a Gravis poll taken in June indicated that Collins had a 14-point lead over Gideon.

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Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), a 2020 White House hopeful, on Thursday unveiled his sweeping Green New Deal to tackle climate change, a plan he says would take on “the single greatest challenge facing our country” and create 20 million jobs.

“This is a pivotal moment in the history of America — and really, in the history of humanity. The climate crisis is not only the single greatest challenge facing our country; it is also our single greatest opportunity to build a more just and equitable future, but we must act immediately,” said Sanders.

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“When we are in the White House, we will launch the decade of the Green New Deal, a 10-year mobilization to avert climate catastrophe during which climate change, justice and equity will be factored into virtually every area of policy, from immigration to trade to foreign policy and beyond.”

The plan calls for a transformation in the country’s energy system to transition to relying solely on renewable energy for electricity and transportation by 2030 and complete decarbonization by 2050. To push the transition forward, the proposal would create 20 million “good paying, union jobs” in several fields, including steel and auto manufacturing, construction, energy efficiency retrofitting and sustainable agriculture.

Sanders also vows he would declare climate change a national emergency at home and rejoin the Paris climate accord, from which President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE withdrew the U.S. in 2017.

Doubling down on his social justice bona fides, the Vermont progressive also says he would invest $40 billion in a Climate Justice Resiliency Fund to help under-resourced groups, communities of color, Native Americans, people with disabilities, children and the elderly recover from and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Sanders would also make substantial investitures both at home and abroad to take on climate change, including a “historic” $16.3 trillion public investment that would echo “the mobilization of resources made during the New Deal and WWII” and providing $200 billion to the international Green Climate Fund.

Sanders’s campaign said the plan would pay for itself within 15 years by making the fossil fuel industry pay for their pollution, eliminating federal fossil fuel subsidies, curtailing military spending on maintaining global oil dependence, collecting new income tax revenue from the 20 million new jobs created, and more.

Climate change has swiftly become a flashpoint in the crowded Democratic primary field and a top concern among the party’s voters.

An April CNN poll found that 96 percent of Democrats believed it was “very” or “somewhat” important to take “aggressive action to slow the effects of climate change.”

Several candidates have put forth their own plans with specific nuances that contenders say make them the best situated to reverse climate change’s impacts.

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Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), a top-tier Democratic presidential candidate, said he would use tariffs as one tool negotiating with China while clarifying that he thinks President Trump’s behavior on the trade negotiations has been “irrational” and is damaging the global economy.

Sanders said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that tariffs are one tool a president has and “of course” he would use them if he was president. 

“If it is used in a rational way within the context of a broad, sensible trade policy, it is one tool that’s available,” Sanders said, adding that he “helped lead the effort against permanent normal trade relations with China and NAFTA [the North American Free Trade Agreement].”ADVERTISEMENT

“We need a rational trade policy today, not what Trump is doing by tweet,” the senator said. 

Trump’s actions have been “totally irrational” and are “destabilizing the entire world economy,” Sanders said. 

“You do not make trade policy by announcing today that you’re going to raise tariffs by X-percent, and the next day by Y-percent, by attacking the person you appointed as head of the Federal Reserve as an enemy of the American people, by denouncing the president of China, who last year you really loved as a great leader,” he said.

“This kind of instability and irrationality on the part of the president is causing very serious harm to the entire world economy. Yes, we need a new trade policy.”

Trump and administration officials have dismissed warnings that the tariffs on China have caused harm to Americans, claiming they are only hurting China. 

Trump appeared to soften on the issue Sunday at the Group of Seven summit in France, telling reporters he had “second thoughts” on the tariffs.

But White House officials later said Trump heard the question wrong and meant he had second thoughts about further tariffs, not the ones that he announced. 

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Edmond, Okla. — Minnesota State debuts at No. 9 in the first installment of the NCAA Division II wrestling regular season rankings issued by the Division  II Wrestling Coaches Association. The Mavericks garnered 83 points and jumps to No. 9 after being ranked No. 13 in the preseason poll.

Individually, David Demo (125 lbs), Cody Quinn (165 lbs), Brendan Eichmann (174 lbs) Aaron Norgren (184 lbs) are all ranked nationally in their weight class. Demo, Quinn and Eichmann are the highest ranked NSIC wrestlers in their weight class.

Demo, a junior, is ranked No. 5 at 125 lbs and owns an 8-2 record, including a 2-0 record in dual action. His two losses came in the championship matches at the Luther College Open and the Wisconsin Open.

Quinn, who sits at 5-1 on the year, is ranked No. 4 at 165 lbs. Quinn is 2-0 in dual action with his lone loss coming in the championship match of the Luther College Open.

Eichmann jumps into the national polls at No. 7 after not being ranked at 174 lbs in the preseason poll. The junior is 5-1 on the year and 2-0 in dual action. His only loss also came in the championship match at the Luther College Open.

Norgren, a senior, is ranked for the first time this season after redshirting last season. The Good Thunder, Minn., native is ranked No. 5 at 184 lbs and is 5-1 on the year. After losing his first match of the year, Norgren has won five in a row, including a perfect 4-0 day at the Luther College Open as he defeated Upper Iowa’s Mitch Schultz in the championship match.

MSU will compete at the UNI Open on Saturday.

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NCAA Division II Rankings – December 5, 2012

Wrestling Coaches Association National Rankings

1. Nebraska-Kearney 160
2. Central Oklahoma 140
3. St. Cloud State 138
4. Upper Iowa 137
5. Newberry (S.C.) 131
6. Grand Canyon (Ariz.) 121
7. Notre Dame (Ohio) 117
8. Findlay (Ohio) 109
9. Minnesota State 83
10. Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) 78
11. Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.) 71
12. West Liberty (W. Va.) 68
13. Maryville (Mo.) 61
14. Augustana (S.D.) 53
15. Kutztown (Pa.) 48
16. Wisconsin-Parkside 42
17. Colorado Mesa 41
18. Adams State (Colo.) 35
19. Shippensburg (Pa.) 10
T20. Ashland (Ohio) 9
T20. North Carolina-Pembroke 9

President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE on Tuesday dismissed three potential Republican presidential primary challengers as “Three Stooges” as he seeks reelection in 2020.

In a pair of tweets, the president mocked former Reps. Mark SanfordMark SanfordThe Memo: Can the Never Trumpers succeed? Libertarians view Amash as potential 2020 game changer for party Trump becomes presumptive GOP nominee after sweeping primaries MORE (R-S.C.) and Joe WalshJoe WalshBottom line ABC’s Whoopi Goldberg to headline Biden fundraiser with Sen. Tammy Duckworth Trump shares video of protesters confronting reporter: ‘FAKE NEWS IS NOT ESSENTIAL’ MORE (R-Ill.) as well as former Massachusetts Gov. William WeldWilliam (Bill) WeldVermont governor, running for reelection, won’t campaign or raise money The Hill’s Campaign Report: Amash moves toward Libertarian presidential bid Libertarians view Amash as potential 2020 game changer for party MORE (R).

Walsh and Weld have announced GOP primary campaigns against Trump in 2020, while Sanford has said he is considering one as well.

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“Can you believe it? I’m at 94% approval in the Republican Party, and have Three Stooges running against me,” Trump tweeted, though it was unclear what poll he was citing.

“One is ‘Mr. Appalachian Trail’ who was actually in Argentina for bad reasons,” he continued, referring to Sanford.

“Another is a one-time BAD Congressman from Illinois who lost in his second term by a landslide, then failed in radio. The third is a man who couldn’t stand up straight while receiving an award. I should be able to take them!” he added, referring to Walsh and Weld, respectively.

….Another is a one-time BAD Congressman from Illinois who lost in his second term by a landslide, then failed in radio. The third is a man who couldn’t stand up straight while receiving an award. I should be able to take them!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 27, 2019

Weld, who ran on the Libertarian Party ticket in 2016, was the first to announce he would seek to challenge Trump for the GOP nomination. The 74-year-old has struggled to gain traction, however, and most polls have shown him receiving single-digit support.

Walsh, meanwhile, announced his campaign on Sunday. He previously served one term as a congressman in Illinois and went on to become a conservative talk radio host, though he said this week that he lost his show upon launching his primary bid.

The ex-congressman has become a fervent critic of Trump’s rhetoric and character. Walsh himself has a history of making controversial statements, and acknowledged in recent days that he has said “racist things.”

Sanford said last month he was considering a primary challenge to Trump, though he has not formally announced a campaign. He has also been critical of the president, and he lost his reelection bid for his House seat last year after Trump endorsed his primary opponent. 

Sanford had an extramarital affair in 2009 while serving as governor of South Carolina, but he lied and said he was hiking the Appalachian Trail when he had actually gone to Argentina to visit his mistress.

All three men and any other prospective challengers face slim odds to unseat Trump on the 2020 ticket.

The president has the financial backing of the Republican National Committee, and he has solidified support within the GOP, consistently polling close to 90 percent among Republicans in Gallup surveys.

Updated at 7:59 p.m.

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Sen. Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (Calif.), a 2020 Democratic White House hopeful, released a plan on Thursday focused on ensuring individuals with disabilities have equal access to education and employment opportunities.

The plan features a set of executive actions, such as requiring transportation and housing projects to meet accessibility standards before they receive federal funding.

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It also emphasizes the California lawmaker’s health care proposal as a way to fully cover comprehensive long-term services and support for individuals with disabilities.

“When we ensure that every American with disabilities is able to fully participate in our schools, our workplaces, and all aspects of our communities, our country is stronger,” Harris said in a statement.

“By addressing these challenges, we can make full inclusion and accessibility a reality.”

Harris’s initiative would have the Department of Education expand its grant program to cover more workplace accommodations while creating a new state-level grant plan to create more inclusive employment opportunities.

She would also push for Congress to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The California lawmaker has solidified her polling position in recent weeks in fourth or fifth place.

The surge in polling she received after the first Democratic debate has since faded, with Harris now frequently registering in single digits.

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Lionel Messi and Barcelona need to come to a “reasonable agreement” over his future after the player asked to be freed from his contract, according to one of the club’s presidential candidates.

The 33-year-old informed the club last month that he wished to leave in the wake of their 8-2 Champions League thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich, claiming a clause in his contract would allow him to walk away for free.

That has been disputed by Barca, who are now set for talks with Messi’s father Jorge after he reportedly arrived in Spain for talks with the board.

It is believed the clause Messi is attempting to activate expired earlier in the year but that the six-time Ballon D’Or winner feels – because the season was extended following the coronavirus pandemic – the expiration date on the clause should also be adjusted accordingly.

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READ MORE: Adios Lionel: Ranking Messi’s potential transfer destinations

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Barcelona disagree and were backed by La Liga on Sunday, hours after Messi failed to show up for his scheduled Covid-19 test which would have allowed him to start pre-season training with new head coach Ronald Koeman the following day.

Jorge Messi is claimed to have told local reporters that his son’s future at Barcelona would be “difficult” as presidential candidate Victor Font said reaching an amicable decision was key.

“We need the two parties to sit down and discuss to ensure that whatever transition needs to happen,” Font told talkSPORT.

“I’m truly hoping reason prevails and as soon as the club and Messi’s father sit down and talk, that the interest of both Messi and Barca will be taken into account and properly protected.

“What I believe is very important is that a reasonable agreement is reached, so that we protect the interests of the club going forward.

“The damage this is doing to Barcelona is quite phenomenal. That’s why we insist in the relevance of managing this properly because it can still be contained.”

Clear links have already been made between Messi and his former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola – who is now in charge at Manchester City.

The Premier League side would also be one of only a handful of clubs in the world who could consider the financial outlay required to land Messi.

“What is clear is the priority for Messi is to play in a team that can compete for the top silverware worldwide and in Europe,” added Font.

“He wants to win more Champions Leagues and obviously Manchester City and Pep are top candidates.”

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