Barca planning new contract to make Messi 'one-club man'

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed plans to meet with Lionel Messi to discuss a new contract that would ensure the Argentine remains a "one-club man" to close out his illustrious career.

"We would like to renew his contract, that's the idea. He is young - you can see that (in his performances)," Bartomeu said in an interview with Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens of ESPN FC. "He's always improving, always innovating. I believe he still has many years in front of him and in the coming months we will sit down with him so that he has many more years at Barcelona."

Messi, who joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old, currently has two years remaining on the four-year contract extension he signed in 2017.

"We want him to have a really long career so we can keep on enjoying him," said Bartomeu. "Lionel's managed to break down borders. Everyone admires him and he's applauded at other stadiums by rival fans."

The 32-year-old is in the midst of yet another sensational season with the Catalan giants, recently reaching the 40-goal mark for the 10th consecutive season.

"Messi is a one-club man. It's more than what he does on the pitch - his relationship with Barca will last forever," continued Bartomeu. "I use the example of Pele, who was always at Santos. We want Messi to always be at Barca, whether that's playing or linked to the club (when he's retired)."

The team's record goalscorer with 594 goals, Messi has led Barcelona to nine La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns, and six Copa del Rey triumphs. It could be just a matter of time before he adds a 10th La Liga title to his bloated trophy cabinet, as Barca enjoy an eight-point lead atop the table heading into the final eight matches.