Marquez: I'm not the Messi of motorsport

Bengaluru, February 28: Marc Marquez insisted he was not the Lionel Messi of motorsport, saying there was no comparing to the Barcelona star.

The Repsol Honda rider, 26, is already a five-time MotoGP champion, closing in on Giacomo Agostini's record of eight premier-class titles.

who finished the top three in the final pre-season tests in Qatar,

"It would be a huge mistake, I'd jump from a cliff if I was compared to Messi," he told DAZN.

"Messi is Messi, he is one of my idols overall, because of the things he does on the field. But also because of how he is.

"I met him three or four times and each time he came to speak to me, he greeted me.

"I drive motorbikes, but when Messi comes and behaves as someone else, it's something that I really respect and it's really valuable to me."

Contento de formar parte de esta familia. @DAZN_ES ya es una realidad! 👌🏼
Happy to be part of this family. @DAZN_ES it’s already a reality!
➡️ https://t.co/EvVx5Py3CK#holaDAZN pic.twitter.com/gpLtXm7EEI

— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) February 27, 2019

Marquez will be aiming for his sixth title in seven years when the 2019 FIM MotoGP World Championship season begins under lights at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar on March 10.

The Spaniard admitted his preparation for the campaign had been impacted after undergoing shoulder surgery at the start of December.

"My feelings are the same every year. It's true the pre-season was different because of my shoulder injury," Marquez said.

Hoy en la presentacion de @DAZN_ES donde estaré de comentarista en mi vuelta a #MotoGP nos vemos en #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/Wf1hpQCZUf

— Carlos Checa Carrera (@CarlosCheca7) February 27, 2019

"Maybe I couldn't prepare like I would have in previous years, but I am almost back to 100 per cent. And I think I'll be 100 per cent very soon.

"It will be the most important thing that I feel better, and mentally I will face it for one more season, where I will fight for the title.

"I will try and defend the title and make things difficult for Jorge Lorenzo and the other rivals."

(With OPTA inputs)