Wednesday 19 October 2016 18:53, UK
John Stones is relishing the prospect of coming up against Lionel Messi when Manchester City face Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Stones, who moved to the Etihad Stadium from Everton for £47.5m during the summer, featured against Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic in City's opening two Champions League fixtures.
And he is looking forward to testing himself against Messi, who made a scoring return to fitness for Barca in their 4-0 win over Deportivo on Saturday after struggling with a groin injury.
"For me, Messi's the best player in the world, easily. He's one of a kind," Stones said. "I think we, as footballers, appreciate it even more when you come up against him and see what he can really do.
"I'll be looking forward to that challenge. But it's not just him, it's everyone in that team. I think Luis Suarez has taken his game to another level since he was at Liverpool."
Stones, 22, has played in all eight of City's Premier League fixtures since joining the club and is certain he will continue to grow at the Etihad.
"You can't let your game slip or your focus," he added. "It's something I'm working on, but that comes with age and experience. It takes time to learn the game and I'm still learning. There's plenty more to come.
"Watching Barcelona as a kid, they're a massive team, with top players, a great stadium, and it will be big occasion for me, my family and the club.
"It was Messi himself and the style they play that I liked. Obviously, the gaffer [Pep Guardiola] used to work there and I was a big fan when he was there and the players he had."
City, who beat Borussia Monchengladbach but were held to a draw by Celtic in Glasgow, trail Group C leaders Barcelona by two points after two games.
