Messi more likely to stay at Barcelona than Enrique

Messi (above top) was said to be unhappy with Luis Enrique's (above) management style and tactics, prompting speculation he could seek an exit and reportedly sparking interest from English Premier League sides Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.

The Argentina forward has said he is not planning to leave the club he joined as a 13-year-old but has not explicitly denied claims he has fallen out with the coach, who took over from Gerardo Martino at the end of last season.

SACKED

Given the four-times World Player of the Year's influence at Barca, it is widely expected that Luis Enrique will be the one to leave, particularly as the man who appointed him, sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, was sacked this month.

"We all think - and he has expressed the same thing several times - that Leo is going to stay at Barca for many years," Luis Enrique said yesterday.

"That is what all of us 'cules' (Barca fans) want," added the former Barca and Spain midfielder.

"I don't see why - well, I do but I don't understand why - there is so much talk about it when we are not even considering it."

Enrique said Barca's dressing room was united and everyone was focused on bouncing back from last season when the club failed to win major silverware for the first time in six years.

"We are all together," he told reporters. "We discuss things we can improve and how we can damage our opponents, as always."

3READ PAUL HYLAND: SEE PAGE 67