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Messi likely to retire at Camp Nou with possibility of extended contract

Last updated on: July 05, 2017 11:40 IST

Lionel Messi

IMAGE: Lionel Messi is expected to sign a new deal with the club by mid-July after returning from his honeymoon in mid-July. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images

Argentina's star footballer Lionel Messi, who recently married long-time partner Antonella Roccuzzo, will sign a new contract with Barcelona when he returns from his honeymoon in the middle of this month.

The Argentine will be out of a contract in 2018, however, a new deal is all but finalised after months of negotiations between the player, his father Jorge and the club.

The fresh agreement will take the five-time Ballon d'Or winner until 2021 with the option of one further season.

Messi is expected to officially sign the deal when he returns to the club for pre-season training and the talisman's new release clause is reported to have risen to 300 million euros ($340.65 million).

According to Goal.com, Messi was set to return to the Catalan capital with his family at the weekend, but will now not be back until around July 12.

However, after the wedding, the couple changed their plans and is now in the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda for their honeymoon with sons Thiago and Mateo.

It is possible that Barcelona's players are expected at the training ground in Sant Joan Despi for medical examinations on June 12 ahead of club's pre-season preparations and Messi will be back by that.

The 30-year-old, who made his debut for Barca in 2004, has won 30 trophies with the Catalan club, scoring more than 500 goals. This new contract could see him retire at CampNou.

 

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