Transfer Centre

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu confident of Lionel Messi stay

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 20 December 2016

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is confident that Lionel Messi will stay at the club until the end of his career despite still being unable to agree a new deal.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said that he is "sure" Lionel Messi will stay at the club until the end of his career.

Messi's current deal at Camp Nou will expire in 2018, and reports have suggested that the 29-year-old could bring an end to his illustrious spell at the club.

However, Bartomeu is confident that the Argentine, who he ranks as the greatest player in football history, will end up retiring as a Barcelona player.

"We'd like him to finish his career here. Messi wants to continue because he's happy, it's his club," he told reporters.

"Messi loves this club. He's another Catalan. I'm sure he'll retire here. The names Messi and Barca go hand in hand.

"Messi is the best player in history, we'd like him to finish his career here and we'll work hard to make sure of that."

Messi has scored 476 goals in 551 appearances for Barcelona, helping the club to 29 trophies, including four Champions League crowns.