Transfer Centre

Barcelona to offer Lionel Messi new contract

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 05 April 2019

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu reveals that he is ready to offer Lionel Messi another new contract to ensure that he remains a one-club man.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed that the club are in talks to extend Lionel Messi's contract at the club.

Messi only signed a new four-year deal in November 2017, but the Spanish giants are already looking at improving those lucrative terms following the 31-year-old's sparkling form this season.

The Argentine once again leads the race for the European Golden Boot with 32 goals in just 28 La Liga games, and 42 goals in 39 outings across all competitions.

Messi joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old and Bartomeu is willing to do anything it takes to ensure that he remains a one-club man forever.

"We would like to renew his contract, that's the idea. He is young - you can see that - and he still has two years on his deal," Bartomeu told ESPN.

"He's always improving, always innovating. I believe he still has many years in front of him and in the coming months we will sit down with him so that he has many more years at Barcelona.

"Messi is a one-club man. It's more than what he does on the pitch - his relationship with Barca will last forever. I use the example of Pele, who was always at Santos. We want Messi to always be at Barca, whether that's playing or linked to the club.

"We want him to have a really long career so we can keep on enjoying him. Lionel's managed to break down borders. Everyone admires him and he's applauded at other stadiums by rival fans."

Messi has scored 594 goals in 676 senior appearances for Barcelona, helping the club to 32 trophies including nine league titles and four Champions Leagues.