Lionel Messi has said he would never leave Barcelona amid curious speculation Real Madrid want to sign the Argentine playmaker from their arch rivals.
Reports from Madrid suggested champions Real were preparing a sensational swoop but Messi laughed off the talk and pledged his future to Barcelona.
“I’ll never leave Barca,” the 21-year-old Messi told the club’s official website. “I’ll only leave if they throw me out. Barcelona is my home.”
Messi is unlikely to be thrown out having scored 14 goals this season, including two in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Numanica, as Barca sit 15 points clear of Real at the top of the Spanish first division.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta hit out at Real for using the media to try and unsettle the league leaders.
“They (Real Madrid) are relying on biased mass media institutions to spread these rumours,” said Laporta. “It is an attempt to unsettle us and cover up their own problems.
“The most important thing is that he (Messi) is happy here, this is where he has grown up, and he is showing this with his performances.”
Last 5 posts by SoccerNews
- Independiente, Godoy Cruz keep pace in Argentina - March 22nd, 2010
- Benfica thrash Porto in League Cup final - March 22nd, 2010
- Argentina's Superclásico washed out - March 22nd, 2010
- Door open in Turkey as Galatasaray fall - March 22nd, 2010
- Ancelotti admits United have title advantage - March 22nd, 2010
English Premier League
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Scottish Premier League
MLS
UEFA Champions League
World Cup
Editorials
January 26, 2009
I think REAL MADRID are getting confused day by day about which world class players to go in for through the media. Being that MAN U winger Rolando saga is gone, they want to turn to camp nou. They {REAL} must know that LEO MESSI is not FIGO and he is not going anywhere nor intending to leave. He is a product of our {BARCA} youth team, we are proud of him as we do to all our youth team players who are on the senior side.
February 1, 2009
u miss spelled ronaldo MAmadee, but ur correct, real madrid sure r goin craze bout all these world players…
May 11, 2009
leo messi has sayed that his legs only can survive in barcelona he is very happy there and i dont think that he will leave barcelona for some motherfucking real madrid
July 29, 2009
No place like home Messi pls fill at home in nou camp ur a great guy