Messi Extends Barca Contract to 2021, with €700 Million Release Clause

Messi Extends Barca Contract to 2021, with €700 Million Release Clause

Lionel Messi has signed a new contract with Barcelona that will keep him at the Camp Nou until 2021.

This brings an end to months of speculation about the future of the talismanic no 10 whose previous contract was due to expire in the summer.

Messi’s buyout clause in the new deal was set at €700 million as the Catalans hope to keep their prized asset at the club for the remainder of his career.

His decision to stay on at the club comes as a massive boost as captain Andres Iniesta earlier this year signed a contract that will keep him at the Camp Nou for life.

It also comes amid reports that the Argentine magician was displeased with the running of the club after star attacker Neymar was allowed to join French giants Paris Saint-Germain in a world record deal last summer.

In spite of the speculation, Barca President Josep Maria Bartomeu was insistent that a deal had been reached with the 30-year-old, who has established himself as arguably the greatest ever player during a professional career at Camp Nou spanning 14 years.

Since his debut in 2004, La Pulga has played 602 times for the Catalans and has scored 523 goals, helping them to 30 trophies – a joint club record held alongside Iniesta.

He has won La Liga on eight occasions, earned five Copa del Rey crowns and four Champions League titles in a rich spell for the club.

In addition to the five Ballons d’Or titles he has won, he recently picked up a fourth European Golden Shoe Award, equalling the record of great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

And he’s showing no signs of slowing down, having scored 16 goals in 19 appearances this season as Barca open a four-point lead over second placed Valencia in the Primera Division, with a 10-point gap on eternal rivals Real Madrid.