La Liga: Lionel Messi agrees new contract with Barcelona

Posted Saturday, May 17, 2014 by skysports.com

Lionel Messi has agreed a new contract with Barcelona which will make him the best-paid player in the world.

Details of the new contract were not disclosed, but the deal follows lengthy negotiations.

It was reported that the 26-year-old insisted on overtaking Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's highest-paid player.

Lionel Messi: Will become the best-paid footballer on the planet

Reports in Spain suggest Messi's new deal will see the Argentina superstar paid a basic salary of £16.3m a year, with added performance-based incentives.

A statement on the club's website read: "FC Barcelona has reached an agreement to adjust the terms in the contract binding Leo Messi to the club as a professional first-team player. La Liga: Lionel Messi agrees new contract with Barcelona "

"The revised and updated contract will be signed over the next few days."

The news is a huge boost for the club ahead of Barcelona's crunch clash with Atletico Madrid on Saturday, which the Catalans must win if they are to win the Spanish title. A draw will be good enough for Atletico to win La Liga.

And speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, Barca coach Gerardo Martino welcomed the news of Messi's contract.

"It should give peace to him and especially to the club, who can continue to count on the best player in the world," he said.

Messi has scored 28 goals in 30 league appearances to lead Barca's challenge for the title once again, and has 41 in all competitions this season.

In all he has scored 354 goals in 424 official matches for Barca - no-one has scored more in the club's history.

The new contract will see Messi move into a second decade with the club. He joined at the age of 13 and came through the junior ranks before making his first-team debut during the 2004-05 season.

He has gone on to win six La Liga titles, three Champions League crowns, two Copa del Reys, two Club World Cups and two European Super Cups.

Watch Barcelona take on Atletico live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning on Sky Sports 4 at 4.30pm, and continuing on Sky Sports 1 from 5.15pm this Saturday.