Lionel Messi might be too expensive for Barca

Could there come a day when Lionel Messi outgrows Barcelona? It may not be too far away, according to Marca, who claim that although the Catalan side plan to offer their star man a "contract for life" that will run beyond the end of his playing career, they may find it difficult to afford the Argentina international's demands.

Messi, a reported target for Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, is said to be happy to continue at Barca, but a pay increase in line with his status as the world's best player could be hard for the Blaugrana to stretch to.

The 29-year-old's current deal runs until 2018 with Marca reporting that although negotiations are underway for an extension "it'll be some time until a final agreement is reached."