Messi pledges future to Barca

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Following up on their ill-fated pursuit of Kaka, Manchester City have been linked with an audacious move for Messi and reports suggest that the Premier League side are preparing a £100million bid for the Argentina international.

But Messi, who started out in Barca's youth team nine years ago, told Portuguese newspaper Publico: "If it were up to me, I would stay at Barcelona until I finish my career. I will stay as long as they want me and no club can persuade me to do the opposite."

Messi, who is close to notching 30 goals for the campaign in all competitions, is enjoying arguably his best season and if he continues in this vein he could finally lift the FIFA World Player of the Year award after finishing as runner-up the past two years.

However, the 21-year-old claims that is not at the forefront of his thoughts.

"I never think about personal recognition," he said. "For me, it is more important to think about Barca, to win titles.

"It would be good, but I'm not obsessed about it. I only want to be fit, do my job in the best possible way.

"I am lucky, I live by my passion and there are a lot of people who work, doing what they don't like and are badly paid for that...every day I feel thankful for the luck that I have and for the opportunity to play with the the team-mates I have at Barca and in the international side."

Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were neck and neck for much of running for the FIFA accolade but the Manchester United player edged it after having fired his side to the Champions League and Premier League titles, while Barca had ended the season empty-handed yet again.

"Of course it doesn't bother me at all that I didn't win (the Player of the Year award) this year," he added. "I've always said he was a brilliant player. His instincts are out of this world. Until you see him on the pitch, you don't realise what a physical presence he has."