Lionel Messi : Barcelona’s president makes massive statement about Lionel Messi’s future at the club

Barcelona’s president Josep Bartomeu has made a huge claim about Lionel Messi’s contract at Nou Camp.

Lionel Messi is once in a lifetime player and Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu is desperate to tie him down to a new contract. The Argentine International’s current contract runs until 2021, but the club will be retaining his services for an extended period of time.

Barcelona’s number 10 could be offered a lifetime contract, with he himself afforded the luxury by saying when he will end his stay at Nou Camp.

“We have a long time to enjoy his football life,” Bartomeu told ESPN.

“Lionel has crossed the borders of clubs. Everyone admires him and other stadiums applaud him.”

Another renewal is high on Barcelona’s list of priorities, with the club understandably reluctant to let his contract run close to expiring again.

“We’d like to renew his contract,” Bartomeu added.

“We have the plan to. He’s young, he’s 31 and he still has two more years on his current deal.

“He’s always innovative and brings a lot. He has many years ahead of him and in the next few months will sit down with him so he can continue for years to come at the Camp Nou.”

Lionel Messi has been in the mesmerizing form off late, scoring 42 goals and registering 15 assists across all competitions this campaign. He comes to the rescue for Barcelona when his side feels his absence on the pitch. Most recently, when Barcelona were trailing 4-2 against Villarreal on Tuesday, the Argentine International along with Luis Suarez came off the bench to pull things back by scoring twice in the stoppage time.

Besides his on-field abilities, Messi’s off-field abilities to have an effect on youngster’s are brought into consideration by Bartomeu who is a huge admirer like the rest of the fans.

Here’s how Twitter reacted..

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is ready to offer a new contract to ensure Lionel Messi stays a “one-club man.”

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 5, 2019

Josep Maria Bartomeu on renewing Lionel Messi’s contract: “He is a one-club man. It’s more than what he does on the pitch – his relationship with Barça will last forever. We want Messi to always be at Barça, whether that’s playing or linked to the club after.” pic.twitter.com/LJFxAwJC9x

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) April 5, 2019

Barcelona want to offer Messi a new contract in the coming weeks 💪

Will he end up being a one-club man? 🤔https://t.co/9QlKkm9hc4

— Goal News (@GoalNews) April 5, 2019

“Maybe in three, four or five years, Leo Messi will say: ‘OK, I am going to stop playing football.’ So we are preparing our club for the future, for the time post-Leo.” https://t.co/OAx4p3bYG3

— SBS – The World Game (@TheWorldGame) April 5, 2019

Bartomeu on Messi’s new contract – ‘His relationship with Barça will last forever’.

That’s what we want to hear! pic.twitter.com/b96hteCyjL

— totalBarça (@totalBarca) April 5, 2019

What’s next?

Barcelona will be in action against Atletico Madrid at Nou Camp on Saturday following by the Champions League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford three days later.