Messi: Nobody knows the future

Lionel Messi has admitted he could one day leave Barcelona - just hours after calling transfer rumours "all lies".

Messi gave an interview to Barca's television channel on Sunday and specifically addressed reports linking him with Chelsea and Manchester City, even going as far as to say:"I have no intention of leavinganywhere."

But the Argentina star sounded less certain when discussing his future ahead of Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony, where he was in contention to win the award for a fifth time.

Asked whether he might one day return to hometown club Newell's Old Boys, Messi said: "I'm not sure what's going to happen - if one day I'll go back to Newell's. I'm not sure where I'll be next year!

"I've always said I'd like to finish my career at Barcelona, play at Newell's, but nobody knows what the future holds - much less so in the case of the football world where so many things can change overnight."

Ballon d'Or rival Cristiano Ronaldo, sitting alongside Messi and Manuel Neuer at a question-and-answer session for the three nominees, was equally non-committal when asked about his Real Madrid future.

He said: "Nobody knows - only God knows the future, but I'm very happy at Real Madrid. I signed a new deal a year ago and I'm happy, but the future? You never know."