Messi denies hand in Martino's appointment

Argentine football star Lionel Messi has said that he had no hand in the appointment of new Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino.

"I had nothing to do with Martino's signing. It was down to the president Sandro Rosell and the club. I said before that I thought he was a good coach, but I don't have anything to do with this," Messi was quoted saying by Telegraph Wednesday.

Martino, former coach of Paraguay, has agreed to sign a two-year contract with the Catalan club and will replace Tito Vilanova, who resigned from the position last Friday due to health issues.

Both Messi and Martino are from Rosario, Santa Fe, and Martino said Tuesday that he was sure Messi had put in a good word for him with the Barcelona management before the club offered him the job.

However, Messi has denied any such influence.

"I don't know him personally, I've never met him. I think he's a good signing, he showed at Newell's Old Boys and with Paraguay what he's capable of. Hopefully he'll be good for us," the four time Ballon d'Or winner said.