Lionel Messi has revealed that he had been open to leaving Barcelona in 2016.

Despite continuing to star for the Catalan giants, the Argentine's future was thrown into doubt when he was handed a 21-month suspended prison sentence for tax fraud.

Although the forward was free to represent Barcelona after that judgment was made, Messi has acknowledged that the process nearly led to him moving away from Spain.

Speaking to RAC1, Messi said: "At that time, with the mess of the treasury, I wanted to leave, not for wanting to leave Barca but wanting to leave Spain.

"I felt that I was being very mistreated and I didn't want to stay here. I never had an official offer because everyone knew my idea to stay here. It was very difficult for me and my family because people don't know much about what's going on.

"The truth is that it was hard for everything that happened but it is better that my children were small and did not know. It was very difficult for me and my family because people don't know much about what's going on."

Messi has since extended his time at Camp Nou, now being associated with the La Liga leaders for 19 years.