Emmanuel Petit: 'Lionel Messi would struggle in Premier League'

Former midfielder Emmanuel Petit has claimed that Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is not suited to Premier League football.

After a public dispute with Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal, Messi has been linked with a potential switch to Manchester City or Manchester United.

However, Petit, who has played in England's top flight and La Liga, feels that the Argentina international would struggle to make a sustained impact in the division.

Speaking to The Mirror, Petit said: "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.

"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."

Due to a clause in his contract, Messi can leave Camp Nou on a free transfer this summer.