Gerardo Martino denies any intention to sell Lionel Messi

Barcelona: FC Barcelona coach Tata Martino has insisted that the club has no intention of selling star striker Lionel Messi.

Martino made the remarks ahead of Sunday’s La Liga match in Getafe and in the wake of declarations from Messi, criticising Barcelona vice-president Javier Faus, whom he accused of having “no idea about football”, Xinhua reported.

Messi also insisted that he did not aske for a pay rise in a new contract, raising speculation that Barca could consider selling him.

“That is not true. I don’t usually get distracted by questions like this which have nothing to do about the pitch,” Martino said.

One of the rumours said that the Argentinean would abandon Barcelona at the end of the campaign as he was unhappy at the club, something he denied.

Martino highlighted the importance of ending 2013 as the league leaders.

“It is very important to finish the year in first place and with a solid performance. I hope we can continue improving in respect to our recent displays,” Martino said.

Meanwhile, Messi has recovered fully from his thigh muscle injury and can begin work on his fitness although no date has yet been set for his return to action, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) had said on Friday.

The Argentina captain was given the good news by team doctors at the AFA’s training complex, which is on the city’s outskirts, where he has been recuperating from the November 10 injury he suffered with Barcelona.

After the first stage of his recovery, involving rest in Barcelona, the forward has now passed the second stage.