Messi stays quiet after rumour he won’t remain with Barcelona

Everybody is talking about Lionel Messi’s possible departure from Barcelona when his contract expires in 2018. Everybody but him.

Messi is neither confirming nor denying a report in sports newspaper Marca that the player has told Barcelona that he does not intend to renew his contract.

The player’s representatives said Monday that Messi would not be making any comments related to the story.

Marca claimed that Messi told the club about his alleged decision in July, not long after he and his father were convicted of defrauding Spanish tax authorities -- something that Marca said played a major role in the player’s decision-making process.

Messi and his father have denied any wrongdoing and said they would appeal.

Barcelona did not immediately respond to a request for comment.