At the end of June 30th this year, Lionel Messi became a free agent for the first time in his career. For the first time since 2000, he is no longer a part of Barcelona; however, that won’t be the case for long as reports have flooded in claiming that a contract is already ready for Messi, and the club just needs to sell a few players before they can officially re-sign him. This is a huge boost, and relief for Barca fans, as the club will just not be the same without Messi, and it is too soon for anyone else to fill in the number 10’s boots.
Lionel Messi is set to renew with Barcelona
When the player first became a free agent, the media was sent into a frenzy, with news articles suggesting that Paris Saint-Germain would be Messi’s next location. This could have been true, as the French club were very much linked with the player throughout last season, and as a free agent, there were no restrictions stopping them from sending him an offer. However, according to famous transfer specialist, Fabrizio Romano, Lionel Messi was always Barca’s. He tweeted,
Lionel Messi will stay at Barcelona, it’s never been in doubt and gonna be announced soon. 🔵🔴 #FCB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2021
PSG never had any real chance this summer. NO talks. Only Barça for Leo. ❌
New contract will be until June 2026 instead of 2023 to help the club - as @ferrancorreas reported.
New club president, Joan Laporta, was also quite happy with their progress on the contract, and he gave a positive review on the situation, in an interview this month. During the presentation of Spanish magician El Mago Pop’s show, Nothing is Impossible, the Catalan president was asked a few questions about the contract situation. He said,
"“[Messi’s renewal] is progressing adequately. All the Catalans, Barcelona, Catalunya and the entire football world are happy because Leo won the Copa America.”“It is very exciting to see the best player in football history get excited about winning a title like this and he made all of us cry with joy.”Source Goal"
The president went on to congratulate the player’s family for their collective achievement in the world, and he also talked about their new player, Sergio Aguero, who helped Messi lift the 2021 Copa America. All of these comments seem quite positive for Barcelona fans, who will just be hoping that their captain manages to stay with the club.
The situation is not all that rosy, however, as the Catalans need to sell some of their players in order to afford Messi’s wages. Till date, they have not sold any of their main players, and that is becoming worrisome. Players such as Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Philippe Coutinho have all been transfer listed however, no official bids have been received for any of them yet. Time is still in Barca’s hands but it’s running out quickly, and they need to sort the deal out soon.
Are you excited to watch more of Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp?