Lionel Messi couldn’t deal with life within the English Premier League as he isn’t lower out for the “depth,” not like Cristiano Ronaldo – that’s based on former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Emmanuel Petit.
Rumors have been rife final week that Messi might give up Spain after the Barcelona icon was concerned in a public spat with sporting director Eric Abidal.
That put golf equipment on crimson alert throughout the continent – not least in England, the place the likes of Manchester Metropolis have been mentioned to be monitoring the scenario with a view to doubtlessly swooping for the star quantity 10 in the summertime.
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However French World Cup winner Petit – who gained the Premier League with Arsenal and in addition had spells at Chelsea and Barcelona – has claimed the six-time Ballon d’Or winner couldn’t hack it in England.
“Actually, I don’t assume he’s suited to the depth of England,” Petit mentioned, The Mirror reported.
“He doesn’t like being closed down and being fought. In Spain, he’s protected.
“It might be a pleasure for English followers to see him however I don’t see why a membership like Manchester Metropolis, for instance, would transfer for Messi at [age] 32 or 33.”
“If Metropolis wished to purchase him, they need to have tried to do it a few years in the past,” the Frenchman added, in feedback more likely to elevate various eyebrows.
Messi’s nice generational rival Cristiano Ronaldo, 35, emerged as a worldwide famous person at Manchester United, profitable his first Ballon d’Or and in addition a bunch of membership titles.
Petit, who gained the World Cup with France in 1998, mentioned that Ronaldo’s physique meant he has extra sturdiness than Messi.
“Messi just isn’t Cristiano Ronaldo. Bodily, he’s not the identical machine.
“Ronaldo is a monster however, at 32, Messi has just one or two extra years enjoying on the highest stage.
“Even enjoying alongside nice gamers at Barca, he gained’t have the identical tempo or the dribbling capacity,” Petit claimed.
Whereas discuss was rife that Messi might give up the Nou Camp in the summertime, one man not speaking up the possibilities of the diminutive Argentine ace heading to England is Man Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola, who loved a trophy-laden spell with Messi whereas supervisor of Barca, mentioned that he hopes the Argentine sees out his profession with the Catalan membership.
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There have been additionally reviews on Friday that regardless of the row with Abidal, Messi is intent on staying at Barcelona – thus dashing the hopes that he might someday be seen outdoors of the Spanish membership he has performed at since age 12.