Barcelona Rising Star Addresses Rumors, Denies Asking For Lionel Messi's No. 10 Shirt

Barcelona rising star Martin Braithwaite has commented on the rumors surrounding Camp Nou and the claims that he has already asked for Lionel Messi's No. 10 shirt.

After Messi informed Barca of his desire to leave, reports surfaced that Braithwaite has brought up the idea of inheriting Messi's iconic Barcelona jersey during talks with the club. But in a recent interview, the 29-year-old refuted the allegation, calling it “disrespectful.”

“What do people think themselves? Of course, I did not go to the club and ask for Messi's number,” Braithwaite told Danish newspaper BT. “It would be so disrespectful. I really feel that the people who come up with these kinds of stories lack respect for a lot of people.”

Despite the widespread news about Messi’s Barcelona exit, Braithwaite said he doesn’t know exactly what’s happening. But the Danish forward is hoping that Messi will opt to stay as it will be “a loss” for Barcelona if the Argentine moves to another club.

“I can only say that he is a great player and person to be teammates with. It goes without saying what he can do as a football player when he shows it every weekend. He is one of the best players ever and, of course, it will be a loss for the club if he disappears. I hope it does not happen,” he added.

Several Barcelona players have been linked to a move away from Camp Nou over the past weeks, including Braithwaite. The Danish forward had a great run with Barca in his debut season with the club, but some reports claimed that Braithwaite’s possible transfer is already in the works.

The former Leganes star is not surprised by the rumors, saying that a renowned club such as Barcelona will always have them.

But Braithwaite insisted that he is looking forward to more wonderful seasons with Barca, emphasizing he still has four more years at Camp Nou and has never thought about leaving.

“There are, of course, a lot of rumors,” he said. “Our whole team has been linked away, so it's only natural that I, too, have been linked. This is how it is to play at Barcelona when you do not achieve the club's goal. To be honest, I have not had any talks about changing clubs with anyone at all, because I have not had a single thought about it at all.”

As for the Barcelona superstar, Messi made it clear that he does not intend to change his mind after failing to show up during newly appointed coach Ronald Koeman's first training session on Monday.

Messi's father and representative, Jorge, is set to meet with Barcelona executives, including president Josep Maria Bartomeu, on Wednesday, Sky Sports reported.