The grizzled lot at Barca are only too well aware of the fact that the final golden years of their – and arguably the world\u2019s – greatest player should not be squandered nor wasted in any way.<\/p>\n
This is evident even in the way their transfer strategy has been leaning of late more to signing established veterans over promoting young players, as they too realize that they can\u2019t have a transition period with Messi turning 33 this summer.<\/p>\n
That aside, football\u2019s favorite son has certainly shown this season that he\u2019s still one of the best in the world wi no signs of slowing down. Mundo Deportivo have reported that Barca are only too well aware of this and are determined to sort his contract situation out.<\/p>\n
With currently only one year left of his contract, that means he could start negotiating a free transfer from January, but the club are looking to tie him down until 2023 with an option of another year.<\/p>\n
That should hopefully keep him at the Camp Nou until his mid to late 30s which also means Barcelona should be able to see the best of his final years.<\/p>\n
It has also been suggested that the option of an extra year will be up to him, but it\u2019s almost impossible to see him playing anywhere else while he\u2019s still in his prime. Although he might try just decide to try his luck in MLS or even back in Argentina before he does hang them up his boots.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"