Manchester City signing Jack Grealish says he can sympathise with Lionel Messi after his exit from Barcelona.

Messi bid a teary farewell to Barca this week after La Liga blocked him from signing a new contract.

Grealish left boyhood club Aston Villa for City in an £100m deal last week and can understand why Messi was so emotional.

"It was so tough. I think everyone knows I reported back for pre-season as I was meant to, I went back for a few days," Grealish said at his introductory press conference at Manchester City.

"It was difficult. In the back of my head I knew I might be going. I did a bit on my own... everyone saw how Messi was yesterday - that's exactly the way I felt. Before I left at the hotel I spoke to the team and the staff and the players and I teared up a little bit myself.

"I felt like it was time for me to move on. I've always said how much I want to play Champions League football. They have a football club here that has got so much potential. They're the most successful English side in the last 10 years. It felt the right time.

"I've been a Villa fan since I was four, my whole family has, I went to the club when I was six. There will always be links there, especially with the big family I have, everyone is Villa fans.

"At the end of the day I'm a City player now and will concentrate on being so successful here. I've come here to win silverware."