Manchester City are ready to launch a bid for Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Suleiman Al Fahim, the President of the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), has declared his admiration for Messi and Argentina coach Diego Maradona.

"I don't know if Diego Maradona can be a good coach. I think he has to be the chairman of a club and have the right to choose and buy players," Al Fahim told the Germany DPA agency.

"I'm a fan of Diego Maradona when he was playing for Argentina in '86, I was a fan of the player when he was in Napoli. Messi is a player that makes me love again Argentina. I love Argentina again."

Recently, Al Fahim withdrew from Manchester City and handed over all power to friend Sheik Mansour bin Zahyed Al Nahyan, son of the UAE founder.

"The British media like it very much to put words in my mouth. They put many words I haven't say," he added.