Lionel Messi to leave Barca? This Real Madrid legend sees the Argentine fit in Premier League

Former AC Milan and Real Madrid legend Kaka has suggested that Lionel Messi can fit in Premier League or any other top club in the top three leagues in the world.

Messi recently got into a row with FC Barcelona's sporting director Eric Abidal after the latter took a dig at the current Barca side to not have worked hard under the previous manager Ernensto Valverde. Barca skipper took to his official Instagram account and slammed Abidal for his remarks.

The situation reportedly went from bad to worse and that forced the club president Josep Maria Bartomeu to step in between the pair.

The incident followed with rumours about Messi's departure from the Catalan club at the end of this season. Although he is contracted with Barca until end of 2021, a clause will allow him to leave for free at the end of the current 2019-20 season.

Kaka, who had excellent stints with Real Madrid and AC Milan, has insisted that he is not sure of Messi's motives behind his response to Abidal.

"From outside it's really hard to say something you don't know. I don't know if Messi wants to leave or if he just wants to protect the players as a captain. Abidal is in the club's position and he is speaking as the club's sporting director," Kaka told Sky Sports.

When asked if he expects Messi to leave Barca and represent some other top-flight club, Kaka replied," I think so. It's not going to be a problem for him in the Premier League or a top club in the top three leagues in the world.

It depends on what he wants for his career. It's hard to see him play for another club but [he might say], 'it's ok, it's time for me to change, I'm going to have another experience. I will be the best football player in the world at another team'."

Messi joined Barca academy as a boy and now he has been at Nou Camp for close to two decades. Messi has led Barca to 10 La Liga trophies, four Champions League titles along with various other domestic and world titles.

The Argentine star recently was declared as the highest-paid footballer in 2020. According to news reports, Messi earns $9 million gross per month, which is almost doubled that of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Juventus star is next on the list with an earning of $4.9m gross per month. Brazil forward, Neymar Jr, is third on the list with $3.2m gross per month. In the same bracket, there is Barca's duo of Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez, who earn $3.2m gross per month, as reported by French outlet L'Equipe.