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Messi: I would never sign for Real Madrid

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-19 19:26

MADRID - FC Barcelona star Leo Messi said on Friday that he would never sign for his club's bitterest rivals Real Madrid.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates a goal against Real Sociedad during their Spanish First Division Soccer League match at Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona, December 12, 2010.  [Photo/Agencies]

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Messi has scored 27 goals this season and the Argentinean is the undoubted hero of the Barca fans in the Camp Nou Stadium. There have been rumors that one day Real Madrid would like to sign him over the years in the Spanish press, but Messi says there is no way that he would ever follow the route trod by Luis Figo when he abandoned Barcelona for Madrid 11 years ago.

"My objective is to always be with Barcelona. I would love to finish my career with Barcelona and then maybe fulfil my dream of playing at home in Argentina, but I want my European career to take place solely in one club," said Messi in an interview with Sky Sports.

"I would never go to Real Madrid," he added.

Messi also discussed the award of last year's Balon D' Or award, which he won ahead of Barcelona team mates, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, who had both helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup.

"I didn't expect to win it. Everyone say Xavi and Andres as the favorites and I think that they deserved it after the fantastic season they had and winning the World Cup," commented Messi.

Finally he was asked about Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, who has also scored 27 league goals this season.

"I have a normal relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo. Whenever we meet each other we say hello and there is professional respect, but no more than that. I don't have any special relationship with him as I do with my companions," concluded Messi.