Lionel Messi tells Barça TV he has never had any intention of leaving the Catalan club

After starring in Barcelona's win against Atletico Madrid on Sunday night, Lionel Messi put the record straight after a difficult week at Barcelona.

"I did not ask for the manager to be sacked," he explained in an interview with Barca TV. 

"I would never do that, it really hurts because the lies come from Barcelona and not from Madrid.

"I have never demanded anything to stay, as I have no intention of leaving. It is not good to look for rivalry between Luis Enrique and me, because there is none."

Messi also touched on the rumours from England, which linked him with a move to the Premier League.

"It is said that my father spoke with Manchester City and with Chelsea," he added. "But it is all lies. It is all lies.

"We must be more united than ever [at Barca]. They should not throw stuff at us. We just want to achieve things for the club."

Finally, Messi was quizzed about the Ballon d'Or, with the winner set to be named in Switzerland this coming week.

"Whoever wins it will deserve it," he said. "Whether it is [Manuel] Neuer or Cristiano [Ronaldo], who had an incredible year."