Messi says stories linking him to Chelsea and City are “all lies”

Lionel Messi has denied stories claiming he wants to quit Barcelona for either Chelsea or Manchester City.

Last week, rumours began to intensify, with speculation that Messi and other Barcelona players were not happy with manager Luis Enrique.

The Argentine was linked with a big-money move to the Premier League, but he has now cleared the air on the matter.

“I don’t demand anything for me to stay because I have no intention of leaving anywhere,” he told Barca TV.

“I’ve heard stories I’ve spoken to Chelsea or City, that’s all lies.”

“I’ve heard so many things. There have been things said in the past that I have bad relationships with (Pep) Guardiola, (Samuel) Eto’o, Bojan, Ibra (Zlatan Ibrahimovic), that’s not true.

“I never asked for them to get rid of the coach or anybody. That’s not true, I would never do that.

“It’s a bit bad because the stories came from here in Barcelona from people who are supposed to be supporters of the club, not from Madrid as in other times, people who want to damage the club.

“More than ever we have to be united

“They try to make out that I run the club, I’m just another player in the squad like my team-mates. I don’t make decisions, I don’t want to make decisions.”

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