Lionel Messi will stay according to Barcelona club President Josep Bartomeu. (Source: Reuters)

Barcelona’s president says Lionel Messi wants to stay at the Spanish club amid speculation about his future.

Josep Bartomeu tells Catalunya Radio that Messi “told me that he wants to finish his career at Barca and his commitment and willingness are maximum. There is no debate about this future.”

The president spoke after Messi said at the Ballon d’Or gala on Monday “I am not sure where I will be next year.”

Barcelona has had one of its most convulsive months in recent memory after it lost an appeal of a one-year transfer ban, fired its sports director and called for early elections this summer.

Messi had repeatedly said he would play out the better part of his career at Barcelona until finishing it in Argentina.