Messi commits future to Barcelona

Messi commits future to Barcelona

Lionel Messi has signed a two-year contract extension with FC Barcelona that ties the 22-year-old Argentina forward to the UEFA Champions League holders until 2016.

New deal

Included among the details of the reigning UEFA Club Footballer of the Year's deal is a release clause of €250m. Speaking after the 22-year-old attacker agreed new terms with the club, coach Josep Guardiola said: "This is immense news, just as it was when Víctor Valdés and Xavi Hernández signed their respective contract extensions. People go to watch football to see the best players and these are the best."
Goals

Having entered the Barcelona youth academy at just 13, Messi progressed through the ranks and – since making his Liga debut against RCD Espanyol in October 2004 – has gone on to score 55 goals in 109 league appearances for the Blaugrana. He was also on target in Rome last May when his goal sealed a 2-0 triumph against Manchester United FC in the final of the UEFA Champions League. After their 0-0 draw at FC Internazionale Milano on Wednesday, Barcelona continue their Group F campaign at home to FC Dynamo Kiyv on 29 September.

Messi and Barça hungry for more

Lionel Messi will have worse seasons. A domestic double, a decisive goal in the UEFA Champions League final, the accolade of being named UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and a UEFA Super Cup triumph all came the way of the diminutive forward in recent months. Real Madrid CF's lavish spending spree will present a new challenge to Messi and his Barcelona team-mates both domestically and on the continent this season, but the 22-year-old Argentinian appeared unfazed when he spoke to uefa.com ahead of the start of the new European campaign.
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