The 20-year-old Argentinian was left out of the starting 11 at the weekend following a spell out with injury, but performed well once he took the field against Racing Santander. However, Barca are seven points back in La Liga and that has led to many tabloid hacks hinting at his supposed imminent departure.

I think all of us must respond to such stories with seriousness as if it is really true. Imagine the story to be true and how would you react to it? Because the phrase “Messi to Arsenal” will appear on links to various blog pages, so we must play along. If not any member of the press who scans these blog pages comments would know we are just taking the piss.