Lionel Messi will stay at Barcelona for the rest of his career, according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Messi’s current Barca deal expires in June 2021 and he has recently been linked with a romantic return to former team Neville’s Old Boys. Several other locations have also been mentioned, although none of these rumors have been substantiated.
Despite the speculation, Bartomeu revealed that he believes Messi will ply his trade at the Camp Nou for the next several seasons.
Josep Maria Bartomeu believes Messi will stay at Barcelona for the rest of his career / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
“It’s not just me who says this. Messi himself says that he wants to finish his professional playing career at Barcelona and that this is the only club for him,” Bartomeu told beIN SPORTS (via AS).
“I have no doubt that when he finishes his football career in three or four years he will be here at Barcelona.
“Messi has that very clearly. He’s been here since childhood. He knows the colors and he’s a part of the club’s history. He’s the best player in the world. Not just now, but in the history of the game. He’s at Barcelona. and has made it clear that he wants to stay here.”
? “I don’t consider myself the greatest player in Barcelona history because it’s Ronaldinho. He wasn’t just passing the ball, he was giving me the torch.”
Lionel Messi’s first goal for Barcelona was special for many reasons! ?pic.twitter.com/CX3uvjedW
— 90 Minutes (@90min_Football) July 30, 2020
On a personal level, Messi enjoyed another impressive season, although overall his team’s performance was largely impressive. Barca surrendered the La Liga title to Real Madrid and failed to win the Copa del Rey. Their Champions League fate also hangs in the balance after the two sides drew 1-1 with Napoli in the first leg of their Round of 16 meeting.
Quick Setien’s squad needs to be rebuilt but one player the Blaugrana will be desperate to keep is Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German keeper has just two years left on his current deal and Bartolomeo insists the club are working on an extension.