Lionel Messi is not happy in Barcelona — that much is known. Rumors of a potential move to Serie A at Inter Milan or a reunion with former coach Pep Guardiola in Manchester City have flooded headlines. Yet Gonzalo Higuaín, his longtime Argentina teammate, noted that going the Premier League route might not be his best option.

The Juventus striker played a brief six months with Chelsea, playing a mere 17 games in England before calling it quits — a time in his career he likely wishes he could forget:

“I suffered a lot in the Premier League and couldn't adapt in those six months,” Higuaín told FOX Sports (via Marca). “It's nothing like La Liga. There, the defenders rough you up with kicks and they don't blow for free kicks like they would in Spain.

“I don't know how that would affect Messi. I don't think he would suffer, since he is a player of a different level.”

Simply put, Gonzalo Higuaín just wants Lionel Messi to be happy, regardless of where his Argentine teammate ends up.

“I don't know what Messi is thinking right now, but I hope he decides what he feels will make him happy,” he said of Messi. “That's the most important part of a decision. Do what makes you happy, not what will make others happy.”

If Lionel Messi leaves La Liga for Serie A or the Premier League, there will be a transitional period surely, after being part of the senior team for most of his footballing career. Messi has been disappointed with Barcelona after the latter suffered a 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League, noting that only a complete change of direction would make him stay.

Lionel Messi has perfected that Spanish possession-type style of football and going to a long-distance game in Serie A or a more-aggressive Premier League will come with its bevy of challenges, but nothing that an icon of his caliber can't overcome.