Barcelona Fears Messi Retirement, Looking to Sign Him to New Deal

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has admitted he fears the day the game's greatest ever player Lionel Messi retires. Messi has played for Barcelona for his entire career but is entering his final stages in the world of football after celebrating his 32nd birthday last summer.

The Argentinian great celebrated his sixth Ballon d'Or last week, and admitted that he would be approaching the end of his playing career soon.

Reacting to that news, Bartomeu told Catalunya Radio: 'I am worried about the day Messi retires. 'I would like him to sign another contract. He still has time ahead of him, we've spoken many times about it.

'He doesn't have any problem with continuing at Barca. I have no doubt that he will play here until he retires, that he's committed to the club. There are no doubts about him ending his career here and ending it when he wants.'

Barcelona is said to be desperate to extend Messi's deal until after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but no talks have taken place in the last few months. Barcelona wants to offer Messi a 'lifelong' contract that extends beyond his footballing years, keeping the player's brand at the club for at least 10 years.

Barcelona makes huge money from having Messi in their team, through shirt sales, ticket sales and advertising.