Jermaine Pennant has played down the potential impact of Lionel Messi

Jermaine Pennant has taken a parting shot at the Singapore football league by saying Lionel Messi wouldn't even boost its development.

The 33-year-old former Arsenal, Liverpool and Stoke winger made the comments as he departed Tampines Rovers after just nine months in the nine-team S-League having rejected a reduced offer on his "super-scale salary".

He told the Straits Times newspaper: "No matter who you get, you could bring Messi here, yes, you'd attract fans but without money, and the government and the league helping out like they do with other sports, or what they do in other countries, it's not going to grow.

"If they don't do anything, football is always going to be in a comfort zone, not progressing."

Pennant was arguably the biggest signing in S-League history, but he was let go after Rovers, who have won the S-League five times, finished second, one point behind Albirex Niigata.

The S-League struggles to attract spectators and sponsorship in an era when many Singaporean fans prefer to watch European football on TV.

It's been reported in the local press that Pennant was earning $14,000 (£11,500) a month under his contract.

Club chairman Krishna Ramachandra described the former England U21 international as an "immaculate professional", but defended the club's wage policy.

Ramachandra said: "While the club could afford his wages, it would also send the wrong message to all the other players that one player is getting a super-scale salary while the others have to take a pay cut.

"It would create a social injustice within the dressing room."

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