There has been a lot of speculation about Lionel Messi's future at Barcelona. He agreed to the new contract with Barcelona in July but the club did not announce it, fueling speculation he could depart in June 2018, when his previous deal ran out, in a free transfer. Clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were hoping to lure him away from Barcelona but now those dreams have died.He had avoided the chance to clear up the doubts about his contract situation as he accepted the European Golden Shoe award last Friday.

Messi has now signed a new contract that will keep him in Barcelona until 2021.

His previous deal was due to expire at the end of this season.

Messi's new deal in numbers

  • Annual salary: £26.4 million

  • Weekly wage: £500,000

  • Buy-out clause: £626 million

The deal was announced by Barcelona in an official club statement, which read, “FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi signed on Saturday morning a new contract that will keep the Argentinian superstar at the Club through the 2020/21 season”. His new contract has a £626 million buyout clause.

FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu had confirmed that the new deal will be made up of three contracts: one with Messi’s foundation, another one regarding image rights and then the employment contract.

14 seasons playing with the first team

The Argentine has played for Barcelona since 2000 when he joined as a 13-year-old from Newell's Old Boys.

After graduating from La Masia academy, he made his debut in the first team at the age of 16 in a friendly against FC Porto. He scored his first senior goal, a year later, against Albacete at the Camp Nou. Messi has helped Barcelona win eight La Liga titles, four Champions League titles, five Copa del Rey titles, and three Club World Cups.

Only he and Andres Iniesta have won 31 titles, the most, with the club in history.

Messi's goals and personal awards.

Messi has scored more than 600 goals for club and country.

He has been awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or five times same as Cristiano Ronaldo. He has also won 4fourPichichi awards as the top scorer in La Liga and 4fourolden Shoes as the top domestic scorer in Europe. The latest he won is the European Golden Shoe for the fourth time after scoring 37 goals in the Spanish league last season.

Considering that Messi is 30 years old, there is a high chance of him ending his career at Barcelona. At the moment, Messi is the leading goal-scorer in La Liga with 12 goals. Barcelona can extend their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points if they win against second-placed Valencia on Sunday.
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