Barcelona President Bartomeu to Offer Lionel Messi 'Indefinite' Contract, offers Ernesto Valverde support

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is without a doubt the heartbeat of Barcelona and club president Josep Maria Bartomeu is doing everything he can to keep the Argentine at Barcelona for the rest of his career as a professional football player. Leo's current contract with Barcelona is set to expire in 2021 and Bartomeu wishes to offer Messi an 'indefinite' contract so he ends his career in Catalonia. During an interview with Associated Press, Bartomeu said, 'Over the next two or three seasons, our leader will continue to be Messi. 

'However, there will be other young players coming in. Some will come from abroad, some will come from La Masia. We are content because we are preparing for the post-Messi era.'

The 32-year-old Argentine has shown no signs of slowing down yet, and if properly managed can give Barcelona three to five more productive years. ‘I always make a comparison with Pelé,' explained Bartomeu. 'Pelé was a man from only one club [in Brazil]... [and] I have no doubt that after Messi ends his career as a footballer, he will remain linked to this club for the rest of his life,' insisted Bartomeu.

'Leo Messi's contract ends in 2021,' he added. 'But it will surely be the will of all parties involved, if they feel strong and ambitious, to extend this contract indefinitely,’ finished Bartomeu assuredly.

Bartomeu also offered Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde his support. The latter has been under fire in recent weeks, with Barcelona's recent shaky performances. 'This season we have brought young players who must help us overcome these challenges and we believe that Valverde is the ideal coach to lead this combination of a generation of players of a certain age who have been so successful with that of the new promises,' stated Bartomeu.

'It is important to create this link, this union, to form a new team,’ Bartomeu added. 'This new group will carry Barça. And Valverde has this ability [to help achieve this].'