Barcelona prepare lifelong contract for Lionel Messi amid exit rumours

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Barcelona are set to offer Lionel Messi a lifelong contract to ensure the Argentine sees out the rest of his career at the Camp Nou, say reports.

Lionel Messi

Reports emerged last week revealing that a clause exists in Messi’s current deal that would allow him to leave on a free transfer next summer, despite his contract running until 2021.

However, the La Liga champions remain relaxed about the situation and are confident of keeping their most prized asset in Catalonia, according to El Mundo Deportivo.

There is no immediate hurry to get the deal signed as the club have no concerns about the forward’s loyalty or commitment.

The prospect of a return to his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys at the end of his career has been touted, as well as a move to MLS, and Barcelona would happily allow one their all-time greats to pursue these adventures before returning to fill a new position off the pitch.

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Alasdair Mackenzie

Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.