Fans and pundits in England have often questioned whether the Barcelona star would be as good in difficult conditions against robust opponents - finally we have an answer
Fans and pundits in England have often questioned whether the 28-year-old would enjoy the same success in wintry conditions against physical opponents.
The question was recently put to the Argentina international by Balague, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner revealing the state of the pitches he grew up playing on in his homeland were far worse than anything he'd be likely to encounter at the Britannia.
During an interview with Stoke City forward and former Barca star Bojan on Sky Sports, Balague said: "I asked Messi about that question.
The question was recently put to the Argentina international by Balague, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner revealing the state of the pitches he grew up playing on in his homeland were far worse than anything he'd be likely to encounter at the Britannia.
During an interview with Stoke City forward and former Barca star Bojan on Sky Sports, Balague said: "I asked Messi about that question.
"He said, 'those people that say that should realise I played in awful conditions in Rosario when I was 11-years-old, with glass on the pitch, with holes and everything.' And, he was still good!
Bojan was in agreement and said Messi would have no problem adjusting to life in England.
"Messi can do it! If he came to the Britannia he would still be just as good.
"I understand that teams don't like to come to the Britannia Stadium, especially in winter with the wind, the cold … and we're a strong team. It's not easy.
"Messi can do it! If he came to the Britannia he would still be just as good.
"I understand that teams don't like to come to the Britannia Stadium, especially in winter with the wind, the cold … and we're a strong team. It's not easy.
"But I try to enjoy it and I try to improve my football in that situation."
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