Lionel Messi played down reports that he considered leaving Barcelona in the past few weeks, saying that he is committed in helping Barça win more silverwares in the next several years.

In a recent post on his Weibo page as reported by heathGCF, Messi, who recently signed an updated contract with Barça, said that he will stay at Camp Nou as long as he is wanted, insisting that Barca fans hold his future.

"It's the people of Barcelona who decide my future, but my choice is to continue because I still feel the same affection from them as always. Even if that wasn't the case, I'd still seek a solution, because I always want the best for this club," Messi said.

Messi also took the chance to apologize to their fans for failing to win a title this season. They actually had a chance to win silverware, but they failed to overtake eventual La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, which secured the title with a 1-1 draw with Barça in their final league match.

"We all had the opportunity to achieve one of our objectives in the final game and we couldn't make the most of it," Messi said. "All I can do is to ask the forgiveness of the Barcelona fans and to promise that next season, we'll get back to the high level of this club and achieve important things."

Barcelona Confirmed Messi's Revised Contract

Meanwhile, Barcelona officially ended speculations about Messi's future at Camp Nou after announcing that the four-time Ballon d'Or winner inked a new deal with the club.

Barcelona announced the development through their official website wherein they also added that the superstar forward felt excited after signing the new deal.

"The signing took place in the presence of Leo Messi, his father Jorge Messi and the Club President Josep Maria Bartomeu, as well as the sporting vice-president Jordi Mestre and the Club CEO, Antoni Rossich," Barcelona said in a statement. "During the signing, which was made in the Presidential Box at the Camp Nou, Leo Messi repeatedly expressed his excitement about the new deal."

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but ESPN FC reported that Messi will receive around 20 million Euros per season until 2018 with a release clause amounting 250 million Euros.