Setién departs from speculation: I see Messi well 1:13
(CNN) - Lionel Messi wants to stay with Barcelona until the end of his career, according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, amid rumors that the Argentine star is restless.
The 33-year-old's relationship with the club has suffered considerable tension this year and his future with the Catalans has been questioned with his contract next season.
Messi celebrates 33 years and we remember his best moments at Barcelona 1:58Despite reports that Messi was looking for a potential outlet, Bartomeu remains confident that his man will remain in Barcelona for many more years.
"Messi has said that his work and football life at Barça will end," he told the Spanish chain Movistar.
"I am not going to explain the details because we are focused on the competition and we are negotiating with many players, but Messi has explained to us that he wants to stay and that we are going to enjoy it for much longer."
His comments came after Barcelona beat Villarreal 4-1 on Sunday to keep their hopes of a La Liga title alive.
Messi was present with two assists but was unable to add to his 700-goal score in his career.
History: Messi scores goal 700 in his career 1:58Signs of trouble
The Argentine has been restless at times this season and has spoken several times against the club.
Earlier this year, he lashed out at the club's sporting director Eric Abidal for accusing the players of not working hard enough under former coach Ernesto Valverde.
He also released a controversial statement in March when he announced that the squad would be cutting his salary amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Messi seemed to suggest that his teammates didn't need the club hierarchy to ask them to take the cut.
"It never ceases to amaze us that within the club there are people who want to put us in a bad situation and try to pressure us to do something that we always knew we would do," the statement said.
The public disputes were even more surprising given Messi's habitual reluctance to speak on his social media platforms.
FC BarcelonaLionel Messi
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