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Messi on reports he wants out of Barcelona: 'It's all lies'

REUTERS/Albert Gea

And breathe, Barcelona supporters.

Lionel Messi said Sunday that reports he wants out of Camp Nou are "lies" and that he has "no intention" of leaving for Chelsea or Manchester City, writes ESPN's Dermot Corrigan.

Messi addressed speculation of his departure, and of a rift between he and coach Luis Enrique, after Sunday's 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid.

"I am thankful to be able to give my version," he said. "It's not good for people to look for rivalry between me and Luis Enrique because there isn't any. Don't throw shit at us from outside because that will only do us harm."

The 27-year-old added that he's never tried to have Enrique sacked. 

It hurts because it comes from people who (supposedly) love Barcelona. It's people who want to hurt the club - and this time it did not come from Madrid, like other times, it has come from here.

I have heard lots of things being said about me before and now. They make it look like I am the one who is in charge here when I am just another player. I have never demanded anything to stay because I don't have any intention of going.

I heard people say that my dad had spoken to Chelsea, to City. It's all lies.

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