Lionel Messi discussing new contract with Barcelona, confirms director Eric Abidal

Barcelona sporting director has confirmed that the club is in a discussion with their captain Lionel Messi about a potential new deal. Lionel Messi's future has recently been called into question but the club remains hopeful a new deal can be agreed to keep their talisman at Camp Nou for the foreseeable future.

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Lionel Messi at Barcelona

After moving to Spain from Argentina at 13 years old to join the La Masia academy, Lionel Messi has spent his whole career at the club. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is officially contracted to the LaLiga champions until 2021. But his future has been called into question after Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu apparently confirmed that Messi can leave Camp Nou for free at the end of any season. 

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Lionel Messi new contract discussions

Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal has now confirmed that the Blaugrana hope that Messi, 32, will sign an extension to his current deal as soon as possible. Abidal also confirmed academy product Ansu Fati is in line for a contract extension, having impressed this campaign.

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LaLiga: Messi's growing importance at Barcelona 

Lionel Messi has spent 18 years with Barcelona and his importance at the club has never been more. Messi has become one of the greatest players in history at Barcelona, scoring 427 La Liga goals - well over 100 more than any other player in the competition's history. Though Messi is now 32-years-old, he is arguably becoming even more instrumental for Barcelona as Ernesto Valverde's side seemed to lack the attacking thrust in his absence. That makes a contract extension all the more pressing for a player on the club has relied heavily upon over the last few seasons.

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