Striker to stay until 2019: Report
MADRID: Barcelona and Lionel Messi have agreed an improved contract for the four-time World Player of the Year, the La Liga club said on Friday.
Barca did not publish details of the deal, which replaces the current contract that expired at the end of June 2018, but are expected to have enhanced Messi’s status as one of the best-paid players in the game.
Local media reported Messi would be tied to the club a further year, to June 2019, and would be paid 20 million euros (Rs 160.82 crore) a season plus a possible five extra in performance-linked bonuses.
“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,” Barca said in a brief statement.
“The revised and updated contract will be signed over the next few days,” they added.
Argentine Messi is Barca’s all-time top scorer with 354 goals in 424 games and news of the deal is a boost for the Catalan club.
Since the 26-year-old made his official debut in 2004-05, Barca have won 21 titles, including three Champions League triumphs and six La Liga crowns.
He joined Barca’s academy at the age of 13 after a spell at Newell’s Old Boys in his native Rosario.
Ronaldo fit to face Espanyol
Meanwhile in other Spanish football news, Real Madrid’s top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from a series of niggling injuries and is fit to play in Saturday’s La Liga game at home to Espanyol, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.
The Portugal captain limped out of the 1-1 draw at Real Valladolid on May 7 with an apparent thigh strain and missed Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Celta Vigo that ended Real’s chances of winning La Liga.
With the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid on May 24 looming, his return is good news for the club as they chase a record-extending 10th continental crown.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is fine, available, and tomorrow he will play the match,” Ancelotti told the press.
Only three players, goalkeeper Diego Lopez, centre back Pepe and long-term injury casualty Jese are unavailable for the game at the Bernabeu, the Italian added.
This season’s championship will be decided at the Nou Camp on Saturday when second-placed Barcelona (86 points) host leaders Atletico (89).
A point would be enough for Atletico and Barca need to win to secure the title by virtue of a superior head-to-head record.
Ribery criticises Pep
In Germany, Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has criticised coach Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy, with the comments earning a swift rebuke from the club’s sporting director.
Ribery says in comments reported by Kicker magazine ahead of Saturday’s German Cup final against Borussia Dortmund: “Sometimes you play, sometimes you sit on the bench, sometimes you stay at home altogether. That was a new situation for everyone. Personally I need games. I might need a break after five, six games, but not after one.”
Ribery, who has also contended with injuries, made only 22 appearances in 34 Bundesliga games this season, nine of those involving substitutions.
Sporting director Matthias Sammer wants full concentration on Saturday’s final. “It’s not the time, before a cup final, to speak of personal things,” he said. (Agencies)