Lionel Messi News: Eric Abidal hopeful of completing new contract deal with Lionel Messi very soon as the club enters into contract talks.
Lionel Messi is definitely the greatest player in Barcelona‘s history and the Catalans over-reliance on him is increasing by every single match. Now, the 32-year-old is reaching in the final phase of his contract he signed with the club several months ago.
Thus, Barcelona wants to extend the services of the Argentine International, so a new contract is being offered to Messi and there are talks of lifetime contracts too, which are already signed by Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
However, Messi has not promised to bound himself with Barcelona for life but at the same time, it seems the Argentine International will remain with the Blaugranas for few more years.
So, Barcelona is amidst contract talks with Messi to extend the contract and according to the Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s sporting director Eric Abidal is confident that both parties will soon reach an agreement.
“They are already talking. I do not know if we will have news soon because the decision will depend on the player, but for us, as a club, I hope it is sorted as soon as possible… it will be known when it is known, but I am positive. said Abidal.
Related story: Lionel Messi News: Thiago Silva accuses Messi of manipulating referees on pitch
Meanwhile, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed in September that Messi has a clause in his current deal which would allow him to leave for free at the end of any given season.
Bartomeu told Barca TV: “He signed until 2021. And it was agreed that, when the penultimate season finished, he would have the power to leave for free. He has the liberty to decide his future. But he is very ‘culé’ and I’m relaxed.”
“Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta and [Carles] Puyol had the same clause. To Messi, the best player of all time and a ‘culé’ all his life, we couldn’t give him a different clause. But I repeat: I have no doubt he will stay here for many years.
“He will be here as long as he is able to perform for Barcelona. Let’s hope we have him until he is 40 years old.” He concluded.
