Barcelona has staunchly defended Lionel Messi over claims he racially abused a black Real Madrid player several seasons ago, calling such claims "well wide of the mark."

Dutch midfielder Royston Drenthe, who is currently on loan at Everton, was quoted in a Dutch magazine as saying he was taunted by the Argentina forward and three-time world player of the year during several of their Spanish league encounters.

Barcelona steadfastly denied Messi ever abused an opponent.

"The player has always shown a maximum respect and sportsmanship towards his rivals, something which has been recognized by his fellow professionals many times, and we are sure that any accusations to the contrary are well wide of the mark," the Spanish club said in a statement yesterday. "His behavior throughout his career has always been exemplary."

Drenthe, who is black, claims Messi used the word "negro" in a negative tone. Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was banned for eight games for taunting Manchester United’s Patrice Evra with the same word seven times in a match between the two teams.

Drenthe was quoted as telling Helden magazine that he was "bothered" by the tone in which Messi "always called me ‘negro, negro.’"