Petit thinks Messi would struggle in the Premier League

Emmanuel Petit, former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, says Lionel Messi would struggle in the Premier League and says that the Argentine must know that the end of his career is not far away. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Petit says Messi is not the same as Ronaldo physically.

"Honestly, I don’t think he’s suited to the intensity of England," Petit said about recent speculation of a move to Manchester City. "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," he continued. "If City wanted to buy him, they should have tried to do it a couple of years ago. Messi is not Cristiano Ronaldo. Physically, he’s not the same machine."

"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," he said.

Pep Guardiola said he expects Messi stays at Barcelona amidst speculation about his future. Eric Abidal, the club's technical secretary said that some players weren't happy under sacked Ernesto Valverde and says that some of those same players weren't working. Messi responded and said to name these players. It kicked off a turbulent week at Barcelona.