I am not leaving, asserts Lionel Messi

Four-times World Player of the Year Lionel Messi shot back angrily on Sunday at rumours that he could leave Barcelona after clashing with coach Luis Enrique and the club’s board.

“I have never demanded anything to ensure that I stay because I have never had any intention of leaving,” he told Barca TV after Sunday’s match.

“I have heard it said that my dad has spoken to Chelsea or Manchester City. It is all lies.

“I have taken this chance to deny it so that everyone knows the truth.”

Messi had missed training on Monday, citing a stomach bug, after being left on the bench by Enrique for last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad.

And he sent the rumour mill into overdrive later in the day by following Chelsea and two of their players Thibaut Courtois and Filipe Luis on social media site Instagram.

“I am grateful to be able to give my version of events,” he said.

“It hurts me because it comes from here, from Barcelona, from people that love the club, or say they do. It doesn’t come from Madrid like it has in the past.

“It is not good that they look for rivalry between Luis Enrique and I because there isn’t any,” Messi added.