Talk of Lionel Messi leaving Barca has surely come to an end, at least for a few years, with news that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has signed a new contract at the Nou Camp.
Messi's deal was due to expire this summer, and there was hope for some, namely Manchester City fans, that he could be on the move in a crazy free transfer.
But that's not going to happen, as the Argentine has extended his deal with the Blaugrana until 2021. The news has been officially confirmed by Barca on Twitter:
In an official statement on the Barcelona website, the club confirmed that the new four-year deal includes a €700 million (£626 million) and by the time the deal expires, he will have spent 17 glorious years in Catalonia.
Messi joined the club from Newells Old Boys as a 13-year old, in 2003, making his first-team debut against Espanyol as a 17-year old. He scored his first goal in professional football a year later against Albacete and has bagged another 522 goals since then.
Advert
The 30-year old has won five Ballon d'Ors in his glittering career, as well as lifting a total of 30 honours, including four Champions Leagues and eight La Liga titles.
Here's to many more years of Messi tearing it up in the blue and red of Barca...
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Barcelona, Lionel Messi
