Europe's top clubs need not bother with any bids for Barcelona's Lionel Messi, as the Argentinian has declared he wouldn't consider playing for any other team on the continent.
Messi, coming off his fifth Ballon d'Or win, told France Football he plans to stay at Barcelona for the rest of his career, but didn't rule out a move back home to his native Argentina to close out his career.
"I'd never play for another European club," said the 28-year-old, courtesy of Sky Sports.
"Barcelona is my home and I want to retire here. However, it's possible I could end my career in Argentina. Anything could happen in the future, but I want to stay here."
Rumours have intimated that Messi could make the jump to the Premier League, specifically Manchester City, if and when former boss Pep Guardiola takes the bench there.
Messi has also been linked with Inter Milan in the past, with former Argentina teammate Juan Sebastian Veron revealing that Messi had previously thought about joining the Nerazzurri.
A return to Newell's Old Boys - where Messi began his career as a youth before joining Barcelona as a 13-year-old - is also a possibility.
Right now, though, the reigning world player of the year is comfortable in familiar surroundings. He said he feels better than he had in previous years, putting any injury worries behind him.
"I had injuries in 2013 and 2014 that meant I wasn't at the top of my game, whereas now I am. I feel I'm back at the level I was at three or four seasons ago," he said.
"If another Ballon d'Or comes along then great, but if I don't win any more, it's no big deal."
TheScore
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