No danger of Messi leaving Barcelona, says father

Lionel Messi's father and agent says there is "no danger" of him leaving Barcelona despite continued speculation over his future.

The Argentina star's contract expires at the end of next season and conflicting reports over a lack of talks with the club about a renewal have cast doubt over whether he will stay at Camp Nou.

Messi was quoted as telling Coach magazine that he would stay at Barca for "as long as they want me", only for the publication to remove the interview after the 29-year-old's management team claimed that it had never taken place.

The incident took place only a week after Pere Gratacos was removed from his position as director of institutional relations at Barca, following comments in which he suggested that Messi would not be as effective without certain team-mates.

But despite the persistent uncertainty, Jorge Messi has made it clear that a transfer is not on the cards.

"There is no danger that Messi will leave Barcelona," he told Cadena SER.

Messi has registered 27 goals and nine assists in just 24 games in an impressive season with the Spanish champions.

Barca travel to Eibar on Sunday in their next LaLiga match, looking to put pressure on leaders Real Madrid.