Former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has backed Lionel Messi to finish his career at Camp Nou, amid speculation linking the star forward with a move away from the club.
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner raised questions over his future earlier this week when he admitted that he "does not know" where he will be playing his football next season.
Chelsea have been linked with a £200m move for the Argentina international, although former teammate Abidal is confident that Messi will not abandon the Catalan giants.
"I know Leo well. He is a well educated guy, he's not here to screw the club and others," Goal.com quotes the recently-retired centre-back as saying.
"He has character, he respects people. As he put it, he's at Barca, but doesn't know what tomorrow brings. That's sport. But yes, I believe he will finish his career at Barcelona and I hope he stays. Barca's his home and he has already shown what he can do on the field."
Messi, who has also been linked with a January move to Manchester United, has scored 390 goals in 482 appearances for Barcelona.
Daniel Lewis
