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Javier Mascherano 'doesn't think' Lionel Messi will play in England

Javier Mascherano plays down talk that his Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi could play in England.

Javier Mascherano is of the opinion that his Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi has no desire to play in England before he hangs up his boots.

It has long been suggested that Messi will grace the Premier League before the end of his career, but Mascherano has hinted that his fellow Argentine will end his playing tenure at Barcelona.

"There are people who say Leo could not play against Stoke. Stoke City? That he cannot play in England? Leo can play anywhere, against anyone. How can anyone doubt that?" he told The Times.

"It's not because he is my friend. For me he is the best player I've seen in my life. I didn't see [Diego] Maradona, but of the ones I have seen Leo is definitely the best.

"The best player in the world can play anywhere because his talent and his quality are unbelievable, I don't think he wants to play in England, though."

Barcelona face Manchester City in the first leg of the last-16 stage of the Champions League on Tuesday.

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Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona scores the opening goal next to Mikel Gonzalez Martinez of Real Sociedad during the Copa del Rey Semi Final second leg between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona at Anoeta Stadium on February 12, 2014
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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