Manchester City defender John Stones has insisted that he is 'not scared' of coming up against Barcelona star Lionel Messi in tomorrow's Champions League group clash at Camp Nou.
The 22-year-old has never before been given the task of stopping Messi, who marked his return from a groin injury by scoring in Barca's 4-0 rout over Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.
Despite the huge ask of trying to keep the five-time Ballon d'Or winner quiet, Stones is calm heading into the clash.
In an interview with Sport360, the centre-back said: "It will be great to come face to face with them. It doesn't scare me, no. I think you have to play against the best to see how you can deal with it and it always brings the best out in you as well. I see it as an exciting challenge and one I'm looking forward to - if I'm picked to play of course.
"For me, Messi's the best player in the world, easily. He's one of a kind. I think we, as footballers, appreciate it even more when you come up against him and see what he can really do."
City boss Pep Guardiola is expected to receive a warm welcome from the opposing fans as he guided the Spanish club to 14 trophies during his four-year spell as manager.
No Data Analysis info
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic