Sambenedettese veteran Maxi Lopez can see former Argentina teammate Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona.

Manchester City and Inter Milan are being linked with the Barca captain as his contract runs down.

Maxi, a former Barca striker, told Cataluyna Radio: "A player has to be comfortable to perform at one hundred percent. If this does not happen, it is difficult to see his best version again.

"When a cycle ends, it is over.

"We want him to last a hundred years, but he needs the team to help, because Messi is one of the few in the world who can solve a game.

"It is not easy when players who have marked the team leave. The renewal process has not been completed and now Messi is a little lonely."