Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona has been associated with a move to England in the past. One world champion is skeptical that Messi will work there.
Superstar Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona is one of the best players of all time and would probably have enjoyed similar success with many other clubs.
But one world champion now expressed doubts about Messi’s suitability for the Premier League. “Frankly, I don’t think Messi is made for the intensity of the Premier League,” France 1998 world champions Emmanuel Petit told The Mirror.
Petit, who once played for Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona, said: “He doesn’t like being kicked and squeezed all the time. He is not used to it because he is protected in Spain. Messi is no Cristiano Ronaldo, he would fail in the Premier League.”
Petit: Switch to City not realistic
Petit considers a change of Messis to the island to be completely unrealistic. Recently there have been rumours that Pep Guardiola wants to pilot his former protégé to Manchester City. Petit said: “No doubt the English fans would be delighted to see him, but I don’t understand why a club like Manchester City would throw money out the window for a 32 or 33-year-old like Messi.
If City had wanted to sign the Argentine, Petit said a few years ago would have been a better time. Guardiola himself had recently fed the rumours. “He’s a player for FC Barcelona. He’ll stay there, that’s my wish. I think he’ll end his career at Barça. At least that’s what I wish for,” said the Catalan.
Messi’s contract with Barca runs until 2021, and the superstar last had a verbal altercation with sports director Eric Abidal after he blamed the team for the dismissal of former coach Ernesto Valverde. The players are responsible for what happens on the pitch – “and we’re the first to realise when we’re not good,” said Messi.