Lionel Messi has admitted that he "went through a lot of problems on and off the field" during an unsuccessful 2013-14 season.
Messi's side were knocked out of the Champions League quarterfinals by Atlético Madrid and also lost to them on the final day of the La Liga season.
An investigation by the Spanish tax authorities coupled with a reported falling-out with Barca coach Luis Enrique led to speculation that Messi could leave the Camp Nou this summer.
In an interview with Mundo Leo, AS quotes Messi as saying: "The truth is that this year I tried to get to my best form as quickly as possible. I knew I was coming off the back of a not very good year, during which I went through a lot of problems on and off the field.
"It was a challenge to change the image that I had given out last season and to be the player I had been in previous seasons again. That was my objective and that's how I came out at the start of this season, really up for it."
Via ESPN