Manchester City would be the best place for Messi if he leaves Barcelona: Pablo Zabaleta

The ex-City defender doesn't expect Leo to quit Barca.

If his fellow Argentine eventually decides otherwise, the Citizens would be the best place for Messi because of the presence of Guardiola and Aguero at the Etihad, according to Zabaleta.

“First of all, it is sad to see Messi in that situation,” former Man City defender Pablo Zabaleta told Stadium Astro.

“I never thought he would be in a final year of his contract at Barcelona. The team is not playing well and seems that he is not enjoying his football, he’s not happy, and we will see what happens with Messi at the end of the season.

“He has a close friend in Sergio [Aguero] at Man City and has worked with Pep [Guardiola] at Barcelona before, so they know each other. Some of the people on the board also know Messi.

“If Messi decides that he wants to leave Barcelona, that he wants to go and play in a different league, in a different country, of course, Man City would be one of them.

“I know Leo and he has been at Barcelona for so long. I wish he stays at Barcelona. Pep has said this before. He loves the club and I don’t see him leaving Barcelona. But if he decides to leave, then maybe Man City would be a place for him to go and enjoy. Every player would like to have experience in the Premier League.”

Lionel Messi is out of contract at Barca in the summer of 2020. Man City and Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be the frontrunners for the 33-year-old's signature if he decides not to extend his contract with the Catalans.

“I would say to him: ‘Manchester is a lovely place to live, it never rains, it’s not cold like in Barcelona!’” Zabaleta added.

“As a football player, maybe he wants to try a different experience. The Premier League is the best in the world and maybe he wants to go and enjoy a few years there.

“Man City would be the best place for him because he knows people there. We will see what happens at the end of the season.

“I would like to see Messi, if he decides to move on to another club, in England as it is a lovely place to play football. I would love to see Messi play in the Premier League. He needs to enjoy football again because at the minute it seems like he is not enjoying it all.”