Lionel Messi's father Jorge plays down son's 'leaving Barca' comments

Argentina talisman Lionel Messi's father Jorge has played down comments his son made this week that suggested that the four-times World Player of the Year could consider leaving Barcelona.

Messi had revealed on Tuesday that if it were up to him he would stay at the club he joined as a 13-year-old for his entire career. However, he added that sometimes not everything happens in the way one would like and said that the situation was complicated.

Jorge said that the thought is to stay here in Barcelona, but added that as people read between the lines there is exaggeration, Stuff.co.nz reported.

He said that it's clear that if tomorrow the club says to one that they have this offer, and they want to sell the player, it would have to be studied. Although, he added that right now it is not even on the agenda.

Messi has not been at his scintillating best over the past 18 months and, along with his father, has also had problems with the Spanish tax authorities.

Now 27, Messi probably has at least five years left at the top of the game and if the right offer was made, likely to be a world record fee in excess of 100 million euros, it is not inconceivable Barca could cash in or he could himself decide to leave.

Barca has a new coach this season in former Spain midfielder Luis Enrique, who replaced the discarded Gerardo Martino, now Messi's coach for Argentina. They are second in La Liga, two points behind Real Madrid after 11 matches, and have qualified for the Champions League knockout round, the report added.