Barcelona president
Josep Maria Bartomeu said talks are already underway for Lionel Messi to sign a
new contract.
Messi is under contract
until 2018 but Barcelona are keen to offer him fresh terms, following reports
in July that a new deal had been agreed.
And according to
Bartomeu, it appears only a matter of time before the 29-year-old officially
signs a new deal.
“Messi has two years
of contract but we will talk with him to renew because we want him to
continue,” Bartomeu told Catalunya Radio.
Messi – battling a
hamstring injury as Argentina prepare to face Uruguay and Venezuela in World
Cup qualifiers – has made an impressive start to the LaLiga season.
The five-time Ballon
d’Or winner has overcome the disappointment of losing the Copa America
Centenario final in June, helping Barcelona to Supercopa de Espana glory.
Messi also has two
goals in as many LaLiga games as reigning Spanish champions Barca share top
spot with Real Madrid and Las Palmas.
Bartomeu added:
“Messi is the number one player in the world.
“The tax issues
faced by his family is something that we do not like because sometimes players
are not responsible for these things.
“We talk to all
players and in the case of Leo, he is a very strong person, with great
ambition, and has returned better than ever, demonstrating the desire to
continue making people happy in Barcelona. We can always count on him.”
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