Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has spoken again about the reported interest from Premier League side Manchester City but stressed once again that his future lies in Spain with the Catalan giants. Speaking in the aftermath of his side's 0-0 draw with Chelsea and ahead of a prospective Champions League showdown with either Arsenal or Manchester United, the diminutive Argentine also made clear that although City appear to have a bright future they have little chance of closing the gap in terms of prestige and history with Europe’s top clubs.
“I only think of Barcelona and not of other clubs, including Manchester City. Of course, such interest from other teams is flattering but my place in the world is in Barcelona with this club,” he told British publication ShortList.
“Barcelona have a better history, so it seems difficult to me that a club like Manchester City could ever be as big as Barcelona.
“Maybe after a period of time it could be achieved but I don’t believe it is something that will happen overnight.
“In Spain for example, Villarreal are now competing with the biggest teams in Europe although they are not considered as wealthy or as famous as others.
“The club is widely respected, so it is perhaps not impossible for Manchester City to achieve something similar, but they will have to be patient.”
Asked about the muted contribution of Robinho at Eastlands this season, Messi also stressed that no single player can carry the burden of a club’s expectations.
“The most important thing about football is that it is always a team game.
“One player alone, even Robinho, cannot make a big difference to a team in this sport if the other players do not contribute.
“It is important to be complemented on the pitch by your teammates, which is what happens at Barcelona and it happens to me with the Argentina national team, which has great players too.”