Lionel Messi says he will be back playing football “when the body tells me I’m fine” and not a minute sooner as he recovers from his latest hamstring injury.

The Barcelona star was ruled out of action for up to two months this month after suffering another hamstring problem during the 4-1 victory at Real Betis.

The 26-year-old confirmed he will not rush back and will only return when he has fully recovered.

He said: “The plan is to resume playing when the body tells me I’m fine.”

There were rumours that Messi had changed his diet which could have been a contributing factor to his run of injuries.

But he put the record straight, saying: “(That is) not true. My diet is the same as ever. A lot of things have been made up.

“I do the same as always.”