Messi commits to Barca

Lionel Messi has declared that reports linking him with a move to either Chelsea or Manchester City are "all lies".

Stories of a rift between the talismanic forward and Barca coach Luis Enrique dominated the national and international sports media after Messi was left on the bench for the 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad last Sunday.

However the 27-year-old responded with an all-action performance when leading Barcelona to a convincing win over title rivals Atletico Madrid.

He helped create Neymar's opener and Luis Suarez's goal before half-time, before scoring the third late on and killing off Atleti's hopes of a comeback after Mario Mandzukic's penalty - which Messi had conceded after tripping Jesus Gamez.|

After the game, Messi reaffirmed his commitment to the Catalan giants and insisted he had no plans to move to another club.

 "I'm tired of all the things that people have been saying," Messi told Barca's official television channel, quoted in AS.

"People make it out as if I run the club and that's not how it is. I don't ask anyone to make decisions.

 "I have no intentions of leaving for any team, not Chelsea nor Manchester City. Everything that has been said is lies and I want people to know that, everything that has been said is false."