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Lionel Messi names Manchester City among the four teams who will rival Barcelona for the Champions League

Lionel Messi has named the four teams he believes will push Barcelona the hardest in the Champions League, but failed to mention Jose Mourinho's Manchester United and last season's finalists Juventus.

After racing ahead in La Liga and with Messi rekindling his best form, Barcelona are considered one of the favourites to win Europe's premier competition at this early stage of the campaign.

But Messi warned his Barcelona team-mates they will face fierce competition in their bid to win a sixth European title and named Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and domestic rivals Real Madrid as contenders.