Lionel Messi gives Newcastle United transfer target advice as Steve Nickson eyes move

When footballing legend Lionel Messi offers you advice, you listen – and that’s exactly what reported Newcastle United target Leonardo Balerdi when the Argentina hero spoke to him on international duty.

The Magpies have been linked with a £35m move for the Marseille defender as they look to find a long-term partner for Sven Botman.

United have been linked to a series of defenders, with talk in Germany of a move for Bayer Leverkuson’s Edmond Tapsoba, although long-term target Marc Guehi appears to be heading for Liverpool.

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Balerdi, 26, has become a key member of Roberto de Zerbi’s Marseille side, helping OM to a second place finish in Ligue 1 last season, behind champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Capped eight times by Argentina, the centre-back has made himself a regular in Lionel Scaloni’s squad this season, teaming up with Messi for recent World Cup qualifiers.

The man dubbed by many as the greatest player of his generation, if not all time, was quick to offer some words of advice to Balerdi, who won first caps for six years with a recall in 2024.

Leonardo Balerdi of Olympique de Marseille© Reach Publishing Services Limited

“Leo asks me to obviously be calm and play the same way I do at my club, which is the key,” he revealed.

“And then to adapt to the opponent – it depends on the opponent, it depends on training, but he always asks to give 100 per cent, to try to play the same way you do at club level, and that will lead you to achieve continuity for Argentina.”

Newcastle are said to be keen on a £35m move for the defender, with Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder revealing in a Q&A that head of recruitment Steve Nickson has had the player watched.

However, Marseille boss De Zerbi – who handed Balerdi the captain’s armband after taking over the Ligue 1 side after leaving Brighton – has already indicated his is a key part of his side.

“There’s the president and the sporting director. They’re the ones best placed to answer that,” the former Brighton boss said at the end of last season on his captain’s future.

“The aim is to get stronger. We weren’t playing in Europe this season, so we had to achieve our objective, it was vital. After the season, we’ll see how we can strengthen the team. Leo is a pillar of the squad.”