MADRID: Lionel Messi is still secretive about his future in Barcelona in a lengthy interview aired yesterday, describing the Catalan giant as “my life.”

Speaking to Spanish TV channel La Sexta, Messi insisted he was “excited” to play under coach Ronald Koeman this season despite trying to leave the club he represented throughout his career last summer.

He said at the time he felt “necessary for change”, but his attempt to get out was thwarted after clashes with former Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Messi’s contract will expire at the end of the season and starting next month he will be free to discuss the transfer from the Catalonia club.

“Barca is my life, I love this club. And the city, my kids were born here,” Messi said.

“It’s true I went through a bad period last summer. It comes from what happened before that summer, how the season ended, the ‘burofax’ (how Messi expressed his desire to migrate, all at once.

“I brought it a little at the start of the season.”

Bartomeu resigned in October and Barcelona’s new president will be elected on January 24 and the 33-year-old is expected to begin negotiations on whether to extend his contract.

“I feel good right now, ready to fight for anything. I feel excited,” he said.