Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has played down reports of an assault in his native Rosario in ArgentinaReports in the country earlier this week claimed that the 23-year-old had been attacked at a restaurant in the city, allegedly by a Rosario Central fan.
Local media suggested Messi was hit by the fan as a result of the Barca star's childhood links with Rosario's rivals, Newell's Old Boys.
But Messi, who scored in last month's Champions League final at Wembley, insists he was not even aware of the attack until later.
He told Ole: "What everybody said surprised me, because nothing happened to me. All I know is that I have been told.
"It has been published in different media that I received a punch coming out of a restaurant in Rosario.
"For the ease of mind of those who have asked, I can confirm that no-one punched me. I am perfectly fine. I was surprised by the uproar this caused. Many thanks anyway for all the messages of concern."
The owner of the Club de la Milanesa restaurant, Pablo Moyano, also gave his account of what allegedly happened at the entrance to his now famous establishment.
"Coming out of the bar there was a load of people, all trying to say hello to Leo or touch him or ask for an autograph," he explained.
"There one of the kids from the Latinoamericano high school, who had a hood on, came to insult him, and either tried to punch him or threatened to.
"It was nothing too serious, he ran off almost as soon as it happened.
"He [Messi] behaved fantastically, he put his day on hold, took photos and said hello to everybody."
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