Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has questioned whether Lionel Messi could make it in England. He agreed with Sir Alex Ferguson that Pep Guardiola's side is the best he's ever encountered, but believes Messi would need the support of the Barcelona midfield to prosper in England.
Asked if Messi could dictate games in the England as he does in Spain, Rooney told talkSPORT: "If you bring Xavi and Iniesta with him, yes. But it would be difficult, almost impossible for him to play as he does in Spain.
"The game is more physical here, going to the likes of Birmingham and Stoke away is very demanding. Cristiano Ronaldo is more suited to the English game than Messi. Cristiano is taller and good in the air."
Rooney added: "They are the best team I've seen and Lionel Messi the best player. I think he got three nutmegs in the first-half. On my PlayStation I can make him do what I want but he's even better in real life. The speed he moves his legs, in fact his whole body, is amazing.
"Messi wins them games but Xavi and Andres Inesta destroy you. They are simply a fantastic team, a very special side. That's the level we want to be at and we have to up our game to achieve this. The manager will be doing what he can to see we do this."