Angry Messi refutes rumors of Barca rift

Four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi on Sunday shot back angrily at rumors that he might leave Barcelona after clashing with coach Luis Enrique and the club's board.

The Argentine was in top form with a goal and two assists as the Catalan giants ended and unsettling week off the field with a crucial 3-1 win over La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.

"I have never demanded anything to ensure that I stay because I have never had any intention of leaving," Messi told Barca TV after Sunday's match.

"I have heard it said that my dad has spoken to Chelsea or Manchester City. It is all lies. I have taken this chance to deny it so that everyone knows the truth."

Messi missed training last week, citing a stomach bug,

?after being left on the bench by Enrique for a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad. He then sent the rumor mill into overdrive by following Chelsea and two of its players - Thibaut Courtois and Filipe Luis - on social media site Instagram.

Sources in the Catalan press then claimed Messi had met with Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu in midweek to ask that former Barca captain Enrique be replaced as coach.

"I am grateful to be able to give my version of events," Messi said. "It hurts me because it comes from here, from Barcelona, from people that love the club, or say they do. It doesn't come from Madrid like it has in the past.

"It is not good that they look for rivalry between Luis Enrique and I because there isn't any.

"We need to be more united than ever, the fans and us. We have an important six months ahead to achieve good things for us and for the club."

Any doubts over Enrique's job in the short term were blown away by arguably the team's best performance in his seven-month reign.

Messi teed up Neymar for the opening goal in the 12th minute and then repeated the trick to allow Luis Suarez to register just his second La Liga goal.

The Argentine inadvertently handed Atletico a route back into the game when deemed to have brought down Jesus Gamez inside the area on the hour mark and Mario Mandzukic slammed home from the penalty spot.

Messi made amends when he slotted home the clinching goal from close range three minutes from time to move Barca back to within a point of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

"This win has a special value because it is against a direct rival for the league," Suarez said.

"At the moment the team's confidence is good. This win will gives us a big boost."