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Lionel Messi ends saga by putting pen to paper on a new contract

By Chiranjib Ghosh

FC Barcelona football star Lionel Messi answers questions during a press conference to announce new sponsorship with Japanese internet retailer Rakuten in Tokyo on July 13, 2017.Japan's major internet retailer Rakuten entered into main sponsorship contract with FC Barcelona. / AFP PHOTO / Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images)
FC Barcelona football star Lionel Messi answers questions during a press conference to announce new sponsorship with Japanese internet retailer Rakuten in Tokyo on July 13, 2017.Japan's major internet retailer Rakuten entered into main sponsorship contract with FC Barcelona. / AFP PHOTO / Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Lionel Messi has extended his contract till 2021

BILBAO, SPAIN – OCTOBER 28: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring goal during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and FC Barcelona at San Mames Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN – OCTOBER 28: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring goal during the La Liga match between Athletic Club Bilbao and FC Barcelona at San Mames Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

The saga regarding Lionel Messi’s new contract at Barcelona came to an end with an official event at the offices of the club. It had been raging since the summer, when Barcelona had announced an agreement for a new deal.

Even La Liga president Javier Tebas got involved as the media went crazy linking him to the likes of Manchester City and Newell’s Old Boys. But Messi put it to bed by signing his new deal in the presence of journalists.

He has extended his contract till 2021. While it is unknown whether his new wage package the highest-paid footballer, he does have a release clause of €700 million.

"After signing the new deal, Messi said, “I’m happy to continue with the club, which is my home. My dream was to finish my career at Barça and we are moving down that path.The objective is to continue achieving things, fill the club’s trophy cases, and keep making history at Barça. We’ve been lucky enough to have won a great many things and I hope there will be more in the future.”"

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While this contradicts claims made by the media that he wanted to return to his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys, Messi may yet retire in Argentina. At the completion of his contract, he would be 34 and that is not the age for retirement.

But it is a positive in several ways. Firstly, it is a huge motivation for the squad. Messi inspires the entire squad into playing well with his presence on the pitch. His departure would have had a lasting negative impact on the club.

Also, the entire world looks up to Barcelona as the club that wins trophies because of Lionel Messi. His departure would have an impact on the club’s revenue and it’s standing in world football. That is why the president is also jubilant at this new development.

"Bartomeu said, “It’s a great contract for the best player in football history. It fills me with pride to see him with us renewing his love for the club.Next: Are Barca producing shaky wins or a solid start to the season?It’s a new contract that we have signed today, because although the one we signed in June was up to par with his greatness as a player, the new one is more in line with the current situation in the ever-changing world of football. The buyout clause had to be modified, and it has gone from €300 million to €700 million.”"

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