Messi dismisses rumors about leaving Barcelona

Four-times World Player of the Year Lionel Messi shot back angrily Sunday at rumours that he could leave Barcelona after clashing with coach Luis Enrique and the club`s board.
The Argentine was in top form with a goal and two assists as the Catalan giants ended and unsettling week off the field with a crucial 3-1 win over La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.

"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.

Sources in the Catalan press then claimed Messi had met with Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu in midweek to ask for the former Barca captain Enrique to be replaced as coach.