Messi Plays Down City Talk

Newspaper reports had suggested that the Argentinian forward could be the subject of a £100 million offer from City when the transfer window opens in the summer.

However, in an interview with Portuguese newspaper Publico, Messi has said: "If it depended only on me then I will stay at Barcelona for the rest of my career and no other club will convince me otherwise.

"The rumours are pure fantasy."