Despite signing a fresh two-year extension with Barcelona last February to remain with the Spanish power, the future of Argentine star Lionel Messi remained a hot topic of discussion since many followers and supporters of the club were unsure if the 26-year-old would finish his career with the La Liga giants. Hoping to put an end to speculation that the four-time Ballon d’Or Award winner would be sold, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu noted this week that Leo Messi is not for sale and that the club will enter negotiations with the scorer in the coming days.
Recent reports indicated that French side Paris Saint-Germain held high interest in acquiring Messi from Barcelona but Bartomeu feels very strongly that No. 10 is still extremely happy with his current club and will not be sold to another team. “Lionel Messi is so happy here that I doubt he wants to leave Barcelona,” the Barca leader said. “He is a player that was practically born here because he arrived when he was just 13 and I have always heard him say that he wants to finish his career here. The club will sit down and negotiate a new contract. We will do what we have to, to ensure he’s the best-paid player.”
Appearing in 20 matches this season for the current Spanish Primera Division leaders, Lionel Messi has recorded 18 goals but his 36 total assists have been a crucial part to Barca’s success on multiple levels this season. Through 21 league contests, Barcelona finds themselves at the top of the La Liga table over Atletico Madrid via goal differential, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid trails by just one point. Messi and company will meet Real Madrid for the final time in the current La Liga season on March 23 and will close out their 2013-2014 league campaign with a showdown against Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Camp Nou on May 18.
Hoping to remain in strong form since returning from injury, Lionel Messi will obviously be a big part of Barca’s championship plans moving forward. Eying title-hoisting moments in the Spanish League and UEFA Champions League, Messi and company will surely have the opportunity to raise a seventh La Liga title and fourth UCL trophy if they remain healthy and continue to play with cohesiveness.
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