Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has said that he would never leave the Premier League champions for one of Europe's other superpowers.

The Belgian, 26, who is widely recognised as one of the best central defenders in the world, says that he wants to continue to lead City and not sit in the shadows of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

"It would take me time at another club to reach the level I have achieved with City," he told The Sun. "Even then there would be no guarantee I could do it."

"Besides, I am convinced that I can win just as many honours with City as I could with Barcelona or Real Madrid.

"Whoever goes to play for Real will be in Ronaldo's shadow, and whoever joins Barca will be overshadowed by Messi. So I prefer to be captain of Manchester City."

Kompany joined City from Hamburg for £8m in 2008.