An FC Barcelona star who found himself trending for reportedly wanting to take over Lionel Messi's No.10 has now reacted to the rumours.
Martin Braithwaite only joined the club in February, but it was recently claimed he wants to become the club's new No. 10 should Messi indeed leave.
The 29-year-old moved to Barcelona as an emergency signing and is currently wearing the No. 19 shirt.
However, widespread reports suggested that he wants the No. 10 if club captain Messi does indeed depart – speculation the Danish striker has now denied.
"What do people think themselves? Of course I did not go to the club and ask for Messi's number. It would be so disrespectful," Braithwaite told Danish newspaper BT.
"I really feel that the people who come up with these kinds of stories lack respect for a lot of people.
"A lot of things are being written about Messi and I do not know what is happening. I can only say that he is a great player and person to be teammates with.
"It goes without saying what he can do as a football player when he shows it every weekend. He is one of the best players ever and, of course, it will be a loss for the club if he disappears."
Braithwaite could reportedly be on Barcelona's exit list after he was not named as one of the players who are unsellable by president Josep Maria Bartomeu recently.
"I have a contract for four more years with Barcelona," he added when asked about his own situation at the Camp Nou.
"I'm having a great time at the club and they're happy with me, it seems, so I have a really good sense of where I am.
"To be honest, I have not had any talks about changing clubs with anyone at all. You're the first one I talk to about it, because I have not had a single thought about it at all.
"I'm just thinking about how to prepare to play well for Barcelona next season. I'm insanely hungry to get out next season and win a lot of titles."
