Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is confident of Lionel Messi's commitment.

It's been another week of speculation regarding Messi's future after his online blow-up at Barca technical director Eric Abidal. News that he is refusing to consider anything beyond a rolling one-year contract offer has added to the speculation.

But after their Copa del Rey elimination by Athletic Bilbao, Pique insisted last night: "He has already proven several times that he does not want to leave.

"But it's something you have to ask him."