Messi's father dismisses PSG transfer rumour

Jorge Messi admits it is "flattering" to hear rumours of the Ligue 1 champions' interest but maintains the Argentina ace has no desire to quit Camp Nou

Lionel Messi will not be leaving Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain or any other club in the near future, his father and agent has insisted.

THE VIEW FROM SPAIN

Barcelona correspondent Pilar Suarez: "It is claimed in France that PSG will look to sign Lionel Messi next summer, even though they have denied the alleged interest. They are interested - who wouldn't be? - but even with the millions to pay Messi's clause, they do not have enough to convince the world's best to leave Barca. "Rumours of a bad relationship with ex-president Sandro Rosell were never proven. Rosell is now out, and Javier Faus, who had a verbal altercation with the Rosario-born star, has already taken steps to establish peace.  In the coming weeks, we could see an improvement in Messi's contract to make him the highest-paid player in the world until 2018. "Leo's plans are to continue in Barcelona and retire at Newell's Old Boys. For now, he will look for his first Liga goal in 120 days to turn talk back to football after a dramatic week."

The Paris outfit have been reported to be preparing a world-record €250 million bid this summer in order to bring the Blaugrana star to Ligue 1.

However, Jorge Messi denied suggestions that les Rouge-et-Bleu could succeed in prising the forward away from Camp Nou and stressed that his son would not be leaving.

"I have heard about those rumours and I don't know where they came from," the star's father told L'Equipewhen questioned about PSG's reported interest.

"There is nothing so far. Lionel is a Barcelona player, where he is under contract for several years [until 2018].

"It is an honour to know PSG could think about him. But I repeat it is not a subject we want to think about now.

"The only reality is his contract with Barca. I don't know what we are talking about when people talk about a transfer here or there. We don't want to think about anything, neither Paris nor any other team."

Messi's name has been synonymous with Barcelona's success in recent year, having scored 313 times in 400 games for the Catalans since joining their academy at the age of 13.

Though Messi senior was happy to pledge his son's short term future to the club, he did concede that football is unpredictable.

"Can I assure Messi will play at Barca next season? He is under contract. In football, you know we never know what can happen.

"I don't know what will be tomorrow made of. Only God knows."

Barcelona and Messi face Malaga on Sunday after slipping behind Real Madrid, who moved to top spot in La Liga after a 2-0 win over Granada on Saturday having played a game more.