Barcelona laugh off Lionel Messi exit talk

Lionel Messi

BARCELONA have once again calmed any talk that talisman Lionel Messi is interested in a move away from the Camp Nou.

The Argentine star has been side-lined for the past month with a knee injury, and faces a race against time to be fit ahead of the highly-anticipated El Clasico clash against rivals Real Madrid on 21 November.

Rumours have recently arisen that the 28-year-old was considering a move to England, yet Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has laughed off such claims, insisting he is happy with the Catalan giants.

“People who say Messi is leaving Barcelona should be embarrassed,” he told 8TV.

“Messi is recovering for the Madrid-Barcelona game. He is hoping to play El Clasico, but injuries have their process.

“Leo and his father said they don’t imagine playing at another club. The relationship with the family is very good. We are not in the negotiation phase yet, when the time comes it will be presented.”

Bartomeu is confident Messi will see out his contract with the La Liga giants, while also blasting the media’s excessive coverage regarding the star’s alleged tax evasion case.

“He has a contract for the next three seasons,” he said. “Messi is very angry about the Spanish taxation. It is not normal, the information published on Leo Messi.

“If his tax advisers have made a mistake they have to pay like everyone else. Messi deserves respect as all do.”

Barcelona travel to Getafe for their next League encounter on Saturday. -Kickoff.com