Lionel Messi has seemingly snubbed the Premier League by insisting he will stay with Barcelona for the rest of his career. Newcastle’s Jonas Gutierrez revealed that the Argie ace, who destroyed Arsenal with a fantastic four-goal blast last week, has told him he will never play in England.
Gutierrez says Argentina team-mate Messi, 22, feels he can fulfil all his ambitions with the European champions. The Toon winger said: “When we are with the national team, we talk about life and football. “I don’t think he will come here because he is at one of the best clubs in the world. They also talk the same language in Spain and he’s been there since he was very young. He asks me about England but he said he’s not going to come here. It would be difficult for him to leave Barcelona. I think he’ll finish his career there – he’s always said that. But he would be good in any country. I think he is the best player in the world.’’
That judgment was backed by goal machine Ian Rush, who says Messi could be better than his national team boss and Argentina legend Diego Maradona. Ex-Liverpool striker Rush said: “I was lucky enough to play against Maradona. I played for Juventus against him at Napoli and his ability was awesome, he was a very special player. You Almost had to stop yourself from standing there and admiring him. And he had aspects of his game that remind me very much of how Messi plays. Both seem to be able to read tackles and somehow ride them and keep the ball. And Messi’s finishing is just superb. Their thinking is one step further than others, it’s quite unbelievable. You’d have to say that Messi has so many years ahead of him now, so he can be better than Maradona. He’s only 22 and he beat Arsenal on his own – and they are no mugs.”
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