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Cesc Fabregas Sends Warning To Lionel Messi Ahead Of Playing In Ligue 1

Cesc Fabregas Sends Warning To Lionel Messi Ahead Of Playing In Ligue 1

Cesc Fabregas shares his thoughts on Lionel Messi playing in France.

Ligue 1 is 'very intense, very aggressive' and 'not as easy as people think.' Lionel Messi, you have been warned.

That's according to his former Barcelona teammate Cesc Fabregas, who insists France's top flight is not a one-team league despite Paris Saint-Germain's vast wealth.

PSG, who failed to win the league last season, are enjoying a brilliant summer transfer window, capping off their business with the stunning acquisition of Messi.

Image: PA
Image: PA

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner will ply his trade in France following a prolific spell in Spain.

While Ligue 1 has a reputation for being an 'easy' league, AS Monaco star Fabregas says it's anything but a walk in the park.

"I think sometimes he doesn’t even realise how big he is," said the Spaniard via Metro.

"Sometimes he goes to places and he thinks it’s normal for him because he’s been raised like that by being the best and always being surrounded by friends and everything but what he moves around... when you see from the outside it’s something that I’ve never seen before from anyone else."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Fabregas added: "Certainly when PSG don’t win the league, everyone sees it as a disaster because they spend a lot of money.

"Everyone sees it as a one-team league, but in the last five years Monaco and Lille have put a break in it.

"It’s not as easy as people think. It’s very intense, very aggressive, very fast and strong players. They (the teams) defend very well."

Image: PA
Image: PA

On the competitiveness of the league, the ex-Arsenal captain added: "The league is a good league, it’s a league that’s improving. It’s already physical, aggressive players in a good way, they defend very well. 

"In attacking, they used to be not very talented but they’re improving. New foreign, modern coaches are coming in and it’s a league that’s going up with the generation of coaches and players."

Fabregas also says his teammates are looking forward to dueling with Messi ahead of the new season.

"All the boys are excited, knowing they are playing against Lionel Messi," he said.

"Some of them were dreaming of it. For them it’s a really good thing. They don’t stop asking questions. 

"Everyone wants his shirt, (for when we play them mid-December). I say we are 25 and he will only have two! It’s nice to see the excitement, the will of wanting to compete against the very best, to do well and show their talents.

"The team is full of young talents at Monaco. It will be a big test for them and will be motivated. When the best player comes, they want to show what they can do. 

"Sometimes it brings more motivation to do well and make something special happen. It will definitely be a tough challenge, though we were close last year. Up until the last two games of the season we were in the mix. 

"We have to keep going not thinking too much about PSG. It’s a long, big season."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain, Cesc Fabregas, Football