Messi wants new Barcelona contract

Lionel Messi has given his representatives the green light to start talks with Barcelona over a new contract, according to AS.

Back in September, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed that Messi could choose to leave the club next summer, a year before his current deal expires, for free. He explained such a clause as the right Messi has earned, like Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta before him. Messi himself recently spoke about how he thought about leaving the club back in 2013, when the infamous tax avoidance affair was hanging on his neck and he felt badly treated by the Spanish authorities.

However, the Argentine superstar has now revealed that he would like to stay at the Camp Nou “forever”, and to that end, he wants a new contract signed.

AS quote Messi’s interview with the radio station RAC-1:

“If they want me, I am delighted. My idea is to stay here forever. It has always been like this and remains the same way; nothing has changed.”

Messi is confident that the talks between his father Jorge, who is his agent, and the club will be concluded and the contract signed quickly.