Manchester City defender John Stones has described Lionel Messi as the best player in the world but insists he's not scared of the Barcelona forward.
Stones is preparing to play at the Camp Nou for the first time in his career on Wednesday and says there is no reason why Pep Guardiola's side cannot get a result in the Champions League clash against Barca.
The Spanish champions are boosted by the return of Messi, who has recovered from a groin injury and scored as a substitute in the 4-0 victory over Deportivo La Corna on Saturday.
"It will be great to come face-to-face with them," Stones told Sport360. "It doesn't scare me, no. I think you have to play against the best to see how you can deal with it and it always brings the best out in you as well. I see it as an exciting challenge and one I'm looking forward to -- if I'm picked to play of course.
"For me, Messi's the best player in the world, easily. He's one of a kind. 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 has received his own high praise with City manager Pep Guardiola saying he has the potential to become as good as Barca legend and Everton boss Ronald Koeman.
Guardiola and Koeman were together at the Camp Nou and played in Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team" when they won four La Liga titles and the Champions League.
Stones is flattered by the comparison and says that he also tries to copy the style of former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand as a ball-playing defender.
"Early on, there wasn't anyone I modelled my game on as a defender, but as I started to get older I was watching Rio Ferdinand and liked how he played a lot," he said. "He's a great footballer, I've spoken to him a few times and he's told me that we have similarities.
"I worked with Ronald at Everton for a few weeks before I came to City and I've got a lot of time and respect for what he has achieved and how he works. A great manager -- and what a player he was as well. I'm trying to be that. It's what I've known since the youth team at Barnsley and just carried on from that, and just to enjoy it.
"Definitely I want to achieve what Ronald did, what Rio did. Everyone wants to be the best they can. It's not an easy process. People think you go from zero to a 100 games really quick, but there's ups and downs. It's a slow process, but one I'm willing to take."
City were held by Koeman's Everton on Saturday to make it three games without a victory after winning their first 10 matches under Guardiola.
But Stones says City are playing well and are capable of causing a surprise at the Camp Nou.
"I think we can go to Barcelona and get a big result with how we've been playing," he added. "The result wasn't what we wanted against Everton, but hopefully we can go there and cause a shock."