Until his contract expired, there was at least no official statement from FC Barcelona, for whom Messi had played in the professional team since 2004, about a contract extension with or a farewell to the 34-year-old. The player has not commented either. This would mean that Messi – provided there is not a continuation of the collaboration that has not yet been announced – would be without a contract for the first time after 17 seasons in Barcelona and could move on free.
The national record player from Argentina, who has just led the “Albiceleste” to the quarter-finals of the Copa America in Brazil, has played for the “Blaugrana” since he was 13 years old. Messi won a total of 35 titles in 17 seasons with Barcelona, including four times the Champions League, ten times the championship, seven times the cup and eight times the Spanish Supercup. Messi had come to Barcelona as a teenager when he emigrated from Argentina to Spain with his family to seek his fortune at Barca’s youth academy. He made his professional debut on October 16, 2004.
Club boss “moderately optimistic”
It is unclear whether an agreement on a new contract will not be reached in the coming days. The negotiations between Messi and Barca are well advanced, only details are missing, the newspaper “Sport” had recently written. “Marca” had reported that both parties are negotiating. However, there has been no major progress to report for days.
The new club boss Joan Laporta is determined to keep Messi. Laporta said at the end of May that he was “moderately optimistic” that Messi would go on goal hunting for the Catalans next season. The new contract was making progress, but it was not finished yet, it said. According to the media, a long-term contract should be in the room. According to “Marca”, Messi will extend for two more years at Camp Nou, for 50 million euros gross. Then he will serve as a club ambassador for another ten years. In addition, he could end his career abroad if he wanted.
Laporta stressed in May that the financially troubled club wanted to make a good offer to Messi “as far as possible”. But first and foremost, Messi wanted the team to strengthen itself well, it said. Messi and Barcelona only won the Spanish Cup this year. In the Primera Division, the Catalans only finished third, in the Champions League they failed in the round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain.
Forced residence
Messi had already tried to leave the club last summer. He was prevented from doing so by the club boss Josep Bartomeu, who later resigned and with whom he fell out. Bartomeu only wanted to allow this if the transfer clause of 700 million euros stipulated in the contract was activated, Messi said at the time. “And that’s impossible,” said Messi last September. Despite having to stand against his will, Messi shone again this season, becoming La Liga top scorer for the eighth time with 30 goals.
The Argentine also holds all of the club’s major records: Messi is the Barca player with the most goals (672), most games (778), most titles and most wins in the club’s 121-year history. According to reports from the French and Spanish media, Paris in particular is interested in signing the exceptional talent. The English champions Manchester City, coached by Messi’s former coach Josep Guardiola, are also said to be interested.
