The Cameroon striker hit the headlines this week over comments to a French magazine where he reportedly said his heart was really with former club Real Mallorca and that he was only working for Barca.

Eto'o also said he had made a decision about his future - without revealing what it was - and in the subsequent days after the news broke he was closely linked in the media with a move to AC Milan.

However, the 27-year-old, speaking after last night's 2-1 home defeat to Espanyol, slammed the press for blowing the whole incident out of proportion and was adamant he was not looking to call time on his spell with the Catalan giants.

"I've no desire to leave Barca and I don't think they have any desire to sell me," said Eto'o, whose contract at the Nou Camp runs until 2010.

"You (journalists) have built this up. You wanted to stir up controversy. You've been talking as if my contract ended in June. You should leave us alone to work in peace. You've created an unnecessary controversy."