Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure admits they have a big target on their backs being defending champions.

Toure reckons teams have become more fired up to play against them.

Toure said: "Everyone has their opinion but in football you play against clever guys.

"When you play against players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, these guys don't come to be friendly, they come to beat us.

"You have to improve week in, week out and it's not easy. But we are professional and understand that. If we win the title again, everyone will say we are one of the best teams in the world. Football is not a game for children - it is for big guys."