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Lionel Messi inches closer to signing a new contract with Barcelona

Joan Laporta's return as the club president in March has been vital in bringing Messi back into the contract.

Lionel Messi and Barcelona are inching closer towards signing a new deal that would keep the Argentine legend at the Spanish club till he hangs up his boots.

A person close to the development between the club and player told the Associated Press on Friday that Messi has agreed to accept Barcelona’s contract of five years at 50 per cent of his previous salary.

Messi earned a massive 138 million euros ($163 million) per season in his previous contract which he signed in 2017. The person didn’t reveal any other aspects of the contract as the deal is still under progress between the Spanish club and Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, who acts as his agent. Barcelona has not said anything yet officially about the details of the negotiations with the legendary football.

The 34-year-old was acquired by Barcelona two decades ago at the age of 13. Last year in August, the veteran announced that he wanted to leave the Spanish club after the 2019-20 season concluded without a title victory and his relationship with then club president Josep Bartomeu deteriorated. The announcement made by Messi stunned Barcelona.

Joan Laporta’s return as the club president in March has been vital in bringing Messi back into the contract. Laporta was also the club’s president when Messi made a name for himself as a teenager. Messi’s contract with Barcelona expired on June 30.

It will be critical for the financially struggling club to keep Messi at such a significantly lower salary. Barcelona has incurred losses due to the pandemic and some questionable management. Laporta also revealed that things have become complicated for him due to such a lower salary cap for Barcelona because of reduced revenues.

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