The brother of Lionel Messi has apologised after attacking Barcelona and their president Joan Laporta.

The 35-year-old spent over two decades at the Nou Camp after starting in the academy before financial chaos surrounding the Spanish outfit forced him to leave as a free agent in the summer of 2021.

However his brother, Matias, suggested Barca only became a globally recognised team because of Messi's contributions at the club where he won 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League trophies.

He has since taken to Instagram to apologise saying: "I want to apologise for what I said on social networks: I was just making jokes with my son and my friends.

"How am I going to think that of a club as big as Barcelona and their history, which has given a lot both to my family and Leo?

"For us, Catalonia is our second home and that is well known. I'm very sorry and I apologise to everyone, especially the Barcelona fans."