FC Barcelona director Ariedo Braida has addressed rumours that superstar Lionel Messi could quit the Catalan club.
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With his contract expiring at the end of this season, fans and pundits alike have speculated that Messi could look to move on next year.
Braida, who joined Barca as a sporting director in 2015, believes the 30-year-old will ultimately stay at the club, despite being linked with a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
"Talk of Lionel Messi leaving? I don't think so," he told Radio Anch'io Sport.
"Anything can happen in football, but Messi's a great professional and Barcelona are in his heart.
"I don't think he'll leave."
Braida also spoke about how he feels that Andres Iniesta, whose contract also expires out in 2018, will remain a Barca player beyond the transfer window.
"Iniesta to Juventus? No. Barca's players aren't on the market. Iniesta will stay with us," he added.
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Messi has scored two goals in his first two La Liga games of the season, and will captain Argentina when they take on Uruguay and Venezuela in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers early in September.
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