Lionel Messi signs new Barcelona contract

Argentina and Barceloan star, Lionel Messi has signed a new contract with Barcelona, keeping him at the Catalan club until 2021.

Messi's whose previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season, signed his ninth professional contract on Saturday since he moved to the Camp Nou and commits him to the club until he is 34.

Lionel Messi, 30 was on Friday awarded the European Golden Shoe award, the fourth in his career. 

Lionel Messi accepted the European Golden Shoe award on Friday.

Barca announced the news in an official club statement, which read:

FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi signed on Saturday morning a new contract that will keep the Argentinian superstar at the Club through the 2020/21 season.

The buyout clause was set at €700m. Thus, by the time the new deal expires, the 30-year-old striker will have spent 17 years with the first team.

Messi on his part, insisted he wants to finish his career with the club and keep on winning trophies with the La Liga leaders.

I'm happy to continue with the Club, which is my home. My dream was to finish my career at Barca and we are moving down that path, he told the club's official website.

The objective is to continue achieving things, fill the club's trophy cases, and keep making history at Barca. We've been lucky enough to have won a great many things and I hope there will be more in the future.

Messi netted 37 times in La Liga in 2016-2017 leading Sporting CP's Bas Dost (34 goals in Portugal's Primeira Liga) and Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (31 in the Bundesliga) in the top three to claim the prize, which is presented to Europe's top goalscorer.

After also winning the award in 2012-13 (46 league goals), 2011-12 (50) and 2009-10 (34), Messi is tied with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo for most regular winner of the Golden Shoe.

Messi made his debut 4,788 days ago.
He has played 602 games.
He has scored 523 goals.
He has won 30 trophies.