Barcelona have already agreed a new contract with Lionel Messi until 2021 and have now begun work on tying him down to a lifetime deal, according to reports in Spain.
Messi’s deal was previously set to expire at the end of the season, meaning he would be free to talk to other European clubs in January.
But La Liga president Javier Tebas announced earlier this week that Messi had signed a new four-year deal ending months of speculation surrounding his future.
And Mundo Deportivo now report the contract extension was signed back in June and that Barcelona have since started preparation on a deal which would see him remain at the Nou Camp ‘for life’.
Messi remained loyal to Barcelona throughout and refused to entertain offers from different clubs, according to the Spanish outlet.
Mundo Deportivo report Barcelona want the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to stay at the club for the rest of his life, even after his playing days are over.
The club have been stung by Neymar’s departure in the summer and want to tie Messi down to a similar deal than the one Andres Iniesta agreed last month, which will see him remain at Barcelona for the rest of his career.
Barcelona executive Oscar Grau announced at the club’s general assembly last month that the club were working on a new lifetime contract for their superstar.
Grau told the assembly: ‘Messi signed a four-year deal in June, but the club will offer him a lifetime contract.
