HE was once hailed as the next Lionel Messi, after eclipsing the Argentine star’s record as FC Barcelona’s  youngest ever scorer.

But now Bojan Krkic has found himself playing premiership football for Stoke City, not exactly the career he might have dreamt of.

However, the diminutive Spaniard claims he prefers wet and windy northern England to the fast life in the Catalan capital.

“I love the passion at Barcelona, I have grown up in a Latin country after all, but I like it better here. In Spain, people do not respect the players, the same as in Italy,” he told the Daily Mail.

“In England it is like a different world, the people admire the players but also respect them. Here is better, more tranquil.”

The son of a Serbian footballer but a Spanish national, Bojan made the move to England this summer in one of the year’s most eye-catching transfers.

He is reportedly taking language lessons twice a week to improve his already-adequate English.

“I knew Stoke was a historic club and when I learned the manager Mark Hughes wanted me in this team, it was a great motivation,” he said.

“The first few months have been important to improve my physical condition and get used to a new league. But anyone will tell you, the more you play, the better rhythm you find,” he added.

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