Barcelona, (Samajweekly) Barcelona FC President Josep Maria Bartomeu has once again insisted that talismanic forward Lionel Messi will stay at the club beyond his current contract. There is speculation that the record six-time Ballon d’Or winner is unhappy with the club’s leadership.
It was earlier reported by Gazzetta dello Sport that Inter’s owners are willing to table an outrageous four-year contract offer that would see Messi earn 50 million euros net a year. Messi’s current contract runs through to June 2021 at the end of which he can leave the club for free.
Bartomeu, however, has played down speculations and stated Messi wants to finish his career at Barcelona. He insisted that the Argentine has told him about his future at the club.
“It’s not just me who says it, Messi says it himself,’ Bartomeu told beIN SPORTS. “He wants to finish his professional playing career at Barcelona and it’s the only club for him.
“I don’t have any doubt that when he finishes his football career in three or four years it will be here at Barcelona.
“Messi has it very clear. He’s been here since he was a kid, he knows the colours and is a part of the club’s history.
“He is the best player in the world. Not just right now, but in the history of the game. He’s at Barcelona and has made clear he wants to stay here.”
