Barcelona icon Lionel Messi has reached a ‘total agreement’ with the club over a new five-year contract that promises to secure his future at Camp Nou until 2026, by which time he will be 39.
Messi has officially been a free agent since the end of June when his previous contract expired. But, unlike last summer when he formally asked to leave the club, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner has been expected for some time to recommit to Barça.
News filtered through in mid-July that Messi had come to an ‘agreement in principle’ with Barça, which includes a 50% pay cut in light of the club’s dire financial situation.
It was explained at the time that Messi fully understands the club’s position and accepted that, as club captain, he should be the one to set an example to others in the squad.