Emmanuel Petit has boldly claimed that Lionel Messi would not succeed in the Premier League like Cristiano Ronaldo did - as he's not built for it.
Rumours of Messi leaving Barcelona have gathered pace over the last few days following a fallout with sporting director Eric Abidal.
But former Arsenal midfielder Petit doubts if the 32-year-old would have as much success in England.
The Frenchman stated per MirrorOnline:
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"Honestly, I don't think he's suited to the intensity of England.
"He doesn't like being closed down and being fought.
"In Spain, he's protected.
"It would be a pleasure for English fans to see him but I don't see why a club like Manchester City, for example, would move for Messi at 32 or 33.
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"If City wanted to buy him, they should have tried to do it a couple of years ago."
He then went on to compare him to longtime rival Ronaldo, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Wednesday.
"Messi is not Cristiano Ronaldo. Physically, he's not the same machine.
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"Ronaldo is a monster but, at 32, Messi has only one or two more years playing at the highest level.
"Even playing alongside great players at Barca, he won't have the same pace or the dribbling ability.
"I'm sure he knows the end is not far away."
Petit also slammed the 'Blaugrana's' recent performances and said he's been 'bored'.
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"I've watched them recently and I've been bored.
"It has been slow, they're weak defensively and lack creativity."
The La Liga outfit return to action on Sunday evening against Real Betis following their Coppa del Rey elimination on Thursday evening.
They were defeated 1-0 by Athletic Bilbao after an Inaki Williams header moments after Messi missed a glorious chance.
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Barcelona manager Quique Setien believed his side deserved more from the cup tie.
"We are leaving this competition, it is painful, but the image of the team has been very good,' Setien told a press conference.
"Everything went well today except the result and us not continuing in the cup. I am quite satisfied.
"The game was as we wanted it, we dominated the whole of the second half, but the penalty is not to get ahead with one of those chances.
"We must congratulate the opponent because they put the ball in the goal, which we could not do."
What do you think of Petit' comments?
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Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo