Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has backed Lionel Messi as the leader of team and says any friction with head coach Luis Enrique is normal.
Messi's relationship with the 44-year-old former Barca player is said to have soured after he was left on the bench for the 1-0 loss against Real Sociedad last weekend.
Reports claimed the Argentine demanded Luis Enrique be sacked in a meeting with Bartomeu after the 5-0 win over Elche in the Copa del Rey in midweek and, while the Barca boss admits the meeting took place, he has denied Messi called for the sacking.
Within a project which is still under construction, Messi is leading the team," he is quoted as saying by Marca.
"And if there is friction, with Leo, coaches, or players, that's normal. We don't suffer for Messi.
"Leo, the players and Luis Enrique are in a project of winning, not transition. There are no transitions here."
Luis Enrique reacted to the rumours that he would be sacked after Sunday's clash with Atletico Madrid by revealing he would walk away if all of his players were not in support of his leadership.
Meanwhile, Bartomou also backed Messi to the hilt over his tax evasion case with the Spanish courts, who claim he and his father defrauded authorities of more than €4 million.
The pair deny the allegations and the 51-year-old Barca chief said: "We talked to Messi and his father. We will help them, not just now, but always.
"It seems there is discrimination with him. He's not the only player being investigated."