Messi pleads with Barcelona fans to lay-off Giovani

The Mexican was barracked by Barca fans during Sunday night's 1-0 victory over Racing Santander and Messi said: "Obviously, I do not agree. It is not good that they whistle a teammate, neither for him nor for the squad."

Barca legend Johan Cruyff, meanwhile, has called on the club to fine Messi for visiting Qatar last week while injured.

But the young Argentine insisted: "Everything is above board. Before leaving, I spoke with those who I had to at the club."