Messi extends Barca contract

Lionel Messi has signed a new Barcelona contract, extending his stay at the club until 2018.

The Argentine attacker, who joined the Blaugrana in 2000, originally had a deal which ended in 2016, though an agreement had been struck in December 2012 for the 25-year-old to remain at the La Liga giants.

The Camp Nou star will reportedly earn an annual salary of 11 million euros after taxes, and has a buy-out clause of 250m euros in his new contract.

Messi has become the third Barca star to extend his stay after Carles Puyol and Xavi, although goalkeeper Victor Valdes had turned down talks in January and revealed he wants his current contract to run its course.

The forward has helped his side to three Champions League trophies, five Liga titles and many more pieces of silverware during his time at the Catalunya club.

Messi, whose latest extension is his sixth renewal with the Liga leaders, was awarded the Ballon d’Or in January for the fourth consecutive year, beating Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.