Lionel Messi will stay at Barcelona for another five years, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists
Lionel Messi could stay at FC Barcelona for the next five years, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has insisted.
Messi could leave the club for a free next summer due to a clause in his contract, despite the fact his deal runs until 2021.
But Bartomeu has said Barcelona are not preparing to lose Messi.
“Surely it will be the wish of all parties, if he (Lionel Messi) feels strong and ambitious, to extend this contract indefinitely,” Bartomeu said.
“Ultimately it is he who must decide. He has earned the right to decide when he will stop playing football. But like he said a few weeks ago, he wants to finish his playing career at Barcelona.
“Over the next two or three seasons our leader will continue to be Leo Messi. There’s no doubt that he is still young, still strong. He is still ambitious.
“So Leo Messi will still play with us for the next two, three, four or five years. I have no doubts about that.”
Messi scored a hat-trick, including two free-kicks, as Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 4-1 this weekend.
The win keeps the Catalan club top of La Liga despite an up-and-down start to the season.
Bartomeu believes that even after Messi leaves Camp Nou he will forever be tied with Barcelona.
“I have no doubt that after Messi finishes his career as a footballer he will remain linked to this club for the rest of his life,” Bartomeu added.
“Firstly because he is the best player in the history of football and this is where he played. I doubt that anybody else will be able to match his achievements or his records.
“Or his talent, leadership and the supremacy he has in the world of football. So he will continue to be linked to Barca for life. Without a doubt.”
