Picture Credit: Twitter
Argentine forward Lionel Messi’s international contract with Barcelona is due to expire in June 2021 and his transfer speculations have been in the talk for the last few months. Premier League title winners Manchester City, Ligue 1 club PSG and other European giants have shown great interest to sign the six-time Ballon d’Or winner. The 33-year old had expressed his desire to leave the franchise this summer and play with a club that is determined towards winning trophies.
However, reports have emerged that Barca legend has decided to extend his stay with the Catalan club beyond the current season and is expected to stay at Camp Nou at least for another year. Messi joined Barca at the age of 13 and has devoted his entire football career to playing only for the club.
BeIN Sports’ journalist Achraf Ben Ayad took to Twitter to announce that Messi has decided to continue with Barca. “Lionel Messi decides to continue in Barcelona. His journey with the Catalan club continues” Ben Ayad wrote in Arabic.
There’s no clarity whether the Barcelona captain will extend his existing contract or sign up a new deal on fresh terms with the franchise, but it’s a firm decision by the 33-year-old to stay at Barca.
The Argentine forward has played his final game with Barcelona this season and won’t be available for the season finale against Eibar on Saturday. Messi has had a stunning 2020/21 campaign and scored a total of 30 goals and 11 assists in his 35 appearances for Barcelona in La Liga this season.