Barcelona has disclosed that superstar Lionel Messi will sign a new four-year deal with the club, that will allow him with the Spanish giants until 2021, the side said on Wednesday (July 5).
Five times a Ballon d’Or winner has the option of an extra season which could see his time at the Catalan side extend to 21 years.
Barca have also added a £265m release clause in the contract to make it hard for him to be purchased by another club.
Messi, who is currently honeymooning following his wedding to his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzo, will sign the deal when he returns to pre-season training.
“FC Barcelona and Leo Messi have agreed on a contract renewal that will keep the Argentinian at the club until June 30th, 2021,” a statement on Barcelona’s website read .
“The deal will be signed in the coming weeks, when Messi returns to the team for pre-season training.
“The Club is very happy with both the renewal and the commitment of Messi, the best player in history, who has played his full professional career at Barça and has led the team to an era of extraordinary success, the likes of which has never been seen in world football.
“Leo Messi has since gone on to break just about every record and has become the greatest player in the world.
“Now, at 30 years of age, Messi has completed 13 seasons with the first team and, with his new deal, will remain for a further four.
“But Leo Messi will not stop there – the Argentinian is in one of the best moments of his career and still has a lot more left to give, which is music to the ears of all Barca fans who will get to continue marvelling at his greatness for at least another four years.”
Messi has won eight La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, five Copa del Rey, seven Spanish Super Cups, three European Super Cups and three Club World Cups, since he joined Barcelona.
He has scored a club record 507 goals and has claimed the Ballon d’Or on five occasions, more than any other player.
