Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has backed Lionel Messi to stay at Barcelona as the controversy over the Argentine’s future rumbles on.

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Messi followed up his team’s 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday by rubbishing rumours that he and Enrique have fallen out, but then allowed doubts to re-emerge at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony by saying he doesn’t know where he will be playing next season.

Looking ahead to this evening’s Copa del Rey trip to Elche, which will see Barca complete their progress into the quarter finals after establishing a 5-0 first leg lead, Enrique again refused to comment on the state of his relationship with Messi.

However, he did reveal that he believes his star player will stay at the Nou Camp, saying: “We all think Leo is going to be at Barca for many years. 

“That is what all Barca fans want. We are not contemplating him not being in the team next season.”

Messi may be rested tonight, however, because with the tie already effectively won Enrique will field several youngsters against Elche.

Six young members of the club’s B team trained with the first team squad on Wednesday: forwards Munir El Haddadi and Adama Traore, midfielders Alen Halilovic, Sergi Samper and Gerard Gumbau, and central defender Edgar Ie.