Josep Bartomeu Believes Lionel Messi Retires in Barcelona

DBasia.news – Barcelona President Jose Maria Bartomeu re-emphasizes the possibility of Lionel Messi ending his career at the club.

The 33-year-old striker is still under contract until the end of next season, but Barcelona are in the middle of negotiation for an extension of cooperation.

Although there is speculation out there that calls Messi unhappy with Bartomeu and his leadership at the club, the signs indicate that he will stay at Camp Nou for the future.

Bartomeu confirmed that initial discussions between the player and the club were positive, and Barcelona president is confident the contract renewal would soon be secured.

“We have talked, we discussed and we will continue to talk with Messi,” Bartomeu told TV3 via Marca.

“He wants to finish his career here, we will definitely renew [the contract] with him, I have no doubt that he will stay here.”

Messi has had an extraordinary season to date and became the first player in LaLiga history to score 20 goals and pack 20 or more assists in the same season when helping Barcelona win against Real Valladolid at the weekend.

Coach Quique Setien admitted after the match that the Barcelona star needed to rest, but the club could not replace his role in the tight race to win the LaLiga title.

In all competitions this season, Messi has scored 27 goals and contributed 25 assists to once again prove how valuable his presence at Camp Nou is.

With Messi continuing to set records at the age of 33, Luis Garcia recently supported the Argentinian star to continue playing until at least 2025.

“Why not? The way he plays to match his style with the game is impressive,” Garcia told LaLiga.

“Every year he shows us something different but maintains the same number of goals, assists. Even scores more every year!

“He adapts, he doesn’t spend a lot of time up front because he knows it is more difficult, so he goes down a little [backward]. He showed why he is very smart. He adjusts his game to what the team needed in each matches.

“I can see him playing in 2025, easily!”