Former Argentina defender Pablo Zalabeta has urged his compatriot Lionel Messi to head to Manchester City when his Barcelona deal expires.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner tried but failed to force a move away over the summer, but Messi now has just six months remaining on his Blaugrana deal.

City are regarded as one of the favourites to land the Barca talisman should he head for the Camp Nou exit door, and Zabaleta believes that Messi would benefit from a move to the Etihad in the summer.

"Manchester City is the best place for Messi," Zabaleta said in quotes attributed to Marca. "It's sad to see him in his current situation.

"I never thought he'd go into his last year of contract at Barcelona. The team aren't playing well and it seems as though they're not enjoying their football. We'll see what happens with Messi at the end of the season.

"He has a close friend in Sergio [Aguero] at City and he has worked with Pep before at Barcelona. They know each other and some of the other people on the board know him as well.

"If Messi decides to leave Barcelona and play in a different country, then of course City are a club he could join."

Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with a sensational swoop for Messi, although the 33-year-old's father Jorge Messi has been forced to deny reports that he has already held talks over a move to the French capital for his son.