"Messi will do what he wants with his career. He makes plays that normally a player can only achieve when they are 25, 26 or 27 years of age. Perhaps in 10 years I will be able to say that I played with Messi. A player like him is almost unique," said the French striker.

Asked if he felt the pressure of expectation at Barca, the former Arsenal captain scoffed: "Pressure? Pressure is when your life is threatened. Pressure is when you're facing jail, or do not have any money, or no food. But not to play football."