Mourinho claims Lionel Messi will never leave Barcelona

Jose Mourinho has insisted that Lionel Messi won't leave Barcelona despite rumours recently connecting him with a big-money move to Chelsea.

Messi has played his entire career with the Catalan giants, and after the side took a risk on him as a boy he has continually said he wants to repay the favour.

Claims were made that he might be set for a move to the Premier League as Barcelona's trophies dry up and the side loses their hold over the European competition, with Chelsea looking the only suitor willing to fork out £275 million for a deal for the superstar though many argued such a bid is not realistic for a club trying to stay within FFP rules.

The possibility was floated that Manchester United might make a bid for him, but Mourinho, who came up against the midfield maestro many times as Real Madrid manager, doesn't believe he will leave Barcelona.

"I have the feeling that Messi will always be at Barcelona," he told La Gazetta dello Sport new television channel.

"I may be wrong and nobody knows what will happen in the future. My feeling is that a player of his dimension and significance for a club like Barca, I do not see Barcelona opening the door for Messi to go.

"I do not see Messi playing with another shirt which is not Barcelona's. I may be wrong, but this is my feeling."

Chelsea spent £27m in the January transfer window acquiring Juan Cuadrado but the side sold Andre Schurrle for a good price to help pay the fee. Purchasing Messi would certainly seem unrealistic for the side even though Messi recently told reporters he was living in the moment and wouldn't commit to a long term future at his current club.