Lionel Messi insists has launched a scathing attack on "lies" suggesting he wants to leave Barcelona having fallen out with head coach Luis Enrique.
The Argentina superstar has been heavily linked with both Manchester
City and Chelsea in the past week, with the Catalans in
behind-the-scenes turmoil following the sacking of the club's sporting
director, Carles Puyol's departure and early elections being called.
Messi
and Enrique's relationship was believed to be broken beyond repair
after the 27-year-old was benched against Real Sociedad - a match Barca
lost 1-0 - and it is suspected that the forward was pushing for the
coach to be dismissed.
But Messi has hit back at such
claims, insisting that he has no "rivalry" with the former Roma boss,
and lashed out at sections of the media for throwing "sh*t" at the
Catalan club.
"I never demanded anything to stay, as I have no intention of leaving," he told Barca TV. "It is not good to look for rivalry between Luis Enrique and me, because there is none.
"We must be more united than ever. They should not throw sh*t at us. We just want to achieve things for the club.
"I never demanded anything to stay, as I have no intention of leaving.
"It is said that my father spoke with Man City, with Chelsea. It's all lies, it's all lies."
Messi
scored once as Barca ran out 3-1 winners over Atletico Madrid at Camp
Nou on Sunday ahead of Monday's Ballon d'Or presentation when he is
competing for the best player in the world prize with Cristiano Ronaldo
and Manuel Neuer.
But Messi is relaxed heading into the
ceremony - which takes place on January 12 - and has praised the
respective seasons of his rivals.
"Whoever wins the Ballon d'Or will deserve it, whether it is Neuer or Cristiano, who had incredible year," he added.
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