Messi can stay at Barcelona until he retires, says Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said he would like Lionel Messi to stay at the club until he retires.

The Argentine has been at the Blaugrana since he was 13, making his way through the youth system to win six Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and two Club World Cups with the team, plus four
Ballon d'Or individually. He is also their top all-time scorer.


Messi was linked with a move away from Camp Nou earlier this season, but Bartomeu insists he will always be welcome to stay put.

"We work with a leader like Messi, who is the best in the world, but also in history." he told RMC. "He has a place here until he decides to quit football."

The club chief was asked about the likelihood of the Blaugrana making a move to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus, but he says they are not thinking about it.

"Pogba is a great player, but in this moment we are not thinking about additions. It’s true that we have a sanction that prevents us from signing players until January 2016. We are working so that some will players arrive, and others can leave.

“We are preparing for next season, but we will not provide the names here. Pogba is a good player,
one who has a contract with an Italian team that I respect a lot.

“For the moment, it is not expected that we will sign anyone, but everyone wants to have the great players. Also, we have players that the others clubs would like to have."