Barcelona president confident of Lionel Messi signing another contract

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is confident that Lionel Messi will pen another long-term contract with the club which may see out the remainder of his playing career. The Argentine is currently on a deal, which is due to expire in the summer of 2021, but talks are already underway to extend his stay for three seasons.

Speaking to RKB, Bartomeu acknowledged that the Argentine is willing to commit the remainder of his career to the Catalan giants and the club have already offered him with the option to sign a new five-year deal, he said: “Leo Messi will continue with us. He is a club player and the relationship will continue forever. He has told us that he wants to continue. We have offered him a new contract over five years and I hope we will continue discussing the deal.”

However, the Blaugrana president added that the club are still planning for the future beyond Messi and he is hoping to integrate young players within the ranks to continue the legacy at the club, he further told:  “I know one day Lionel will say he’s retiring. We have to prepare the club for the future. We are bringing great young players to the team because we need to continue this era of success. That’s our responsibility. My mandate will be finished in two seasons. So I need to leave the club in a great position and tell the new president ‘that’s our legacy’.”

Barcelona have continued to hold a dominance over Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga this season but the gap has recently been squeezed to six points with the latter picking up their league form. Elsewhere, they have reached the semi-final of the Copa del Rey but the tie is hanging on the balance following the 1-1 draw against Real Madrid during the first leg at the Camp Nou.