Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists Lionel Messi wants to end his career with the club, playing down speculation that the Argentine will not sign a new contract.
It has been a tumultuous season for Barcelona both on and off the pitch, with Real Madrid currently enjoying a four-point lead at the top of La Liga after a series of disappointing results for the Blaugrana.
That has been exacerbated by boardroom unrest, with club captain Messi publicly criticising director Eric Abidal for speaking out against the players earlier in the campaign.
The negative stories surrounding Camp Nou have fuelled rumours that Messi could leave the club he has been with since the age of 13, with no new contract currently agreed between the relevant parties.
However, Bartomeu has assured Barca fans that their talisman will retire with the club.
He said: "I am not going to give details but Messi has said many times that he will end his football life in Barcelona.
“We are focused on [the] competition and there are negotiations with many players. Messi wants to continue and wants to end [his career] here. He has many years left and we are going to enjoy him for much longer."
Lionel Messi 
Antoine Griezmann 
Luis Suárez 
Barcelona 
Real Madrid 
