Marca was challenged by other outlets on Monday after reporting that Lionel Messi told Barcelona in the summer that he wouldn't consider a new deal with the club until his current one expires in 2018.

Marca says that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner communicated his wish to Barcelona just days after he and his father were handed a suspended 21-month sentence by a Spanish court after being found guilty of three counts of tax fraud.

Messi most recently signed a contract extension with Barcelona in May 2014 and has a €250 million release clause.