Barcelona's Lionel Messi: 'I won't join another European team'

Lionel Messi has insisted that he will never leave Barcelona to join another European club.

The 28-year-old has often been linked with a switch to the Premier League, with Manchester City said to be particularly interested.

However, while Messi conceded that his career may end back in his native Argentina, there is no chance of him representing a team from Europe other than Barca.

"I could never play for another European club than Barcelona," he told France Football.

"But I would like to play in Argentina, because I left when I was still little. I would like to know how it is to be part of the Argentine game.

"Anything can happen in football, but I have no doubts about what I want, and what I want is to stay here at Barcelona."

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner joined the Catalans from Newell's Old Boys in 2001.