Lionel Messi's proposed move to Manchester City is already terrifying Premier League defenders: 'Hopefully he stays at Barca'

• English Premier League defenders are already panicking over the prospect of having to face Lionel Messi.
• The Argentine has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City following his decision to hand in a transfer request at FC Barcelona last month.
• "He's a fantastic player, probably the best to ever play the game but hopefully he stays in Spain for me," Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson said when asked about the idea of facing Messi, according to Goal.
• Wolves defender Conor Coady told Hayters: "I would probably panic, a lot of panic before the game to try and get my head around playing him."

English Premier League defenders are already panicking about the prospect of having to face Lionel Messi.

The Argentine shocked the soccer world last month when he handed in a transfer request at FC Barcelona, seemingly calling time on his 16-year professional career at the Camp Nou.

Manchester City quickly became hot favorites to land the Argentine much thanks to the presence of former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who Messi won four consecutive Ballons d'Or under between 2009 and 2012.

Messi's failure to turn up to the start of Barcelona's pre-season has further fueled rumors he could be City bound — a move Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson sincerely hopes doesn't happen.

"From a completely selfish point of view I hope it doesn't happen, hopefully, he stays at Barca," Robertson said when asked about the idea of facing Messi, according to Goal.

"He's one of, if not the best player to ever play the game so for him to go to one of your nearest rivals is probably never a good sign. He's a fantastic player, I've no doubt if he came to the Premier League he'd bring the exact same quality, the same passion and everything he brings at Barca.

The Scotsman added: "I've played against him twice and it's the hardest games I've ever played, so you need to stay on watch against him at all times, he can pop up out of nowhere.

"He's a fantastic player, probably the best to ever play the game but hopefully he stays in Spain for me."

Another of those not looking forward to the idea of facing Messi is Wolverhampton Wanderers centre back Conor Coady, who says the prospect makes him "panic."

"I would probably panic, a lot of panic before the game to try and get my head around playing him," the England international told Hayters.

"You could watch all the videos in the world to try to prepare for someone like him and you would struggle. [But] it would be amazing for him and the Premier League."

Messi, who has spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, has scored 634 goals in 731 games for the Catalan club, guiding it to 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.

For his country, the 33-year-old has scored 70 times in 138 appearances.

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