Rivaldo doubts Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona

Barcelona legend Rivaldo has said that Lionel Messi will not leave the Catalan giants for another European club.

With just over a year remaining on his contract, Messi is currently being linked with a potential switch to Inter Milan at the end of the season.

However, despite the possibility of Inter being able to finance a move for the Argentina international, Rivaldo feels that the 32-year-old is more likely to move to a team playing on a different continent.

Speaking to Betfair, Rivaldo said: "Inter's president Massimo Moratti said this week that he could bring Lionel Messi to the club and resume his personal clash with Cristiano Ronaldo in Italy, but as I've said before I don't believe that the Argentinian would leave Barcelona for any other European club.

"I think he has no reasons to leave Spain, but if that happens one day then he could sign for a club from China or MLS, but only when he stops being so decisive for the Catalan outfit.

"Even if a move to Inter could be financially encouraging for the player, I suspect that wouldn't be enough to convince him and I think this is more like propaganda from Inter's president than a real possibility in the next transfer market."

Newell's Old Boys are also said to be monitoring the situation.