Lionel Messi admits he wanted Cristiano Ronaldo to STAY at Real Madrid

The five-time Ballon d'Or victor was alleged to have used tax havens in Belize and Uruguay to hide earnings from image rights, and as such defrauded Spain of €4.1 million between 2007 and 2009.

He said: "There are times when one ends up tired, exhausted by a myriad of circumstances".

However, both he and his father were found guilty of the crime in 2016, and were hit with huge fines and a suspended prison sentence.

Messi also revealed his fear that Neymar would end up joining Barcelona's rivals Real Madrid, in his desire to leave France for Spain.

"Not because of Barcelona but because I wanted to leave Spain, I didn't want to stay here any longer".

"At that time, with the mess of the Treasury, I had the mind to leave, not for wanting to leave Barca but for wanting to leave Spain".

"I think I had the door open to many teams although I have never had an official offer because everyone knew of my wish and eagerness to continue at Barca. I felt mistreated and I didn't want to be here anymore".

"In the years 2012, 2013 and 2014, I had a tough time", Messi told RAC1.

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"Many people say that I do the signings, I said I do not know if they did it because I was not in the negotiations".

Messi also added that he remains in touch with the Brazilian and feels that he realized very quickly that he had made a mistake in leaving for PSG in 2017 for a world record fee of 222 million euros.

The 32-year-old, though, insists that he wants to see out the remainder of his career with the Blaugrana, for whom he has worn the captain's armband for the past two seasons.

He explained: "My idea has always been to stay here, it has always been the case and it has not changed".

"I would not like to change the friendships of the children or their social circle, I would not like this to break. Many socios didn't want him back because of everything that had happened".

For now, though, Messi and his family are content with staying in Barcelona - meaning he may not fulfil his dream of returning to Argentina and Newell's Old Boys. I said before that he was one of the best and the best are always welcome to a winning project that we all want to be a part of.

"He is one of the best as well, he's different; he does things nobody expects".