Argentine great Lionel Messi is set to extend his stay at Barcelona by signing a new five-year deal, La Vanguardia newspaper and ESPN reported on Wednesday.
Reports state that "Messi has accepted a significant wage reduction to prolong his stay".
Messi is Barca's all-time top scorer and there was no clarity when his 21-year association with the club, for all purposes, came to an end after his contract expired last season.
The 34-year-old has won 35 titles in 17 seasons with Spanish giants. He helped the club win the Champions League four times, La Liga 10 times, the Copa del Rey seven times and the Spanish Super Cup eight times.
Messi excelled again last season despite making numerous attempts to leave the club. He led the Spanish league in scoring with 30 goals and helped the team win the Copa del Rey title.
Messi's last contract was signed in 2017. It was the most lucrative in world sport according to report in newspaper El Mundo.
Barcelona have been making serious efforts to reduce their wage bill in order to hold on to Messi and adhere to La Liga's financial rules.
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Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy after beating Brazil 1-0 in the 2021 Copa America final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. AP -
Players from Argentina toss Lionel Messi in the air as they celebrate their victory against Brazil in the Copa America final. EPA -
Lionel Messi blows a kiss to celebrate their win against Brazil. EPA -
Argentina's Lionel Messi speaks on his phone as he celebrates their victory. EPA -
Lionel Messi holds the trophy as he celebrates with the team. AP -
Lionel Messi holds the trophy for the championship's top scorer. AFP -
Lionel Messi kisses the Copa America trophy. EPA -
Brazil's Neymar and Lionel Messi of Argentina after the match. Reuters -
Argentina's Angel Di Maria scores the winning goal against Brazil. EPA -
Angel Di Maria celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning goal. Getty -
Argentina's Angel Di Maria holds the trophy after winning the Copa America. AFP -
Brazil's Neymar looks dejected after the match. Reuters -
Neymar and Lionel Messi after the match. Reuters -
Players from Argentina toss Lionel Messi in the air as they celebrate their victory against Brazil in the Copa America final. EPA
Last week, La Liga chief Javier Tebas was quoted by Reuters as saying Barcelona, who have a total debt of more than $1 billion, will not be shown leniency. "If no player leaves, it's impossible," he said.
The club have been trying to rebuild the squad with Junior Firpo, Jean-Clair Todibo and Carles Alena being sold to make way for free signings Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia.
It has been a fairly positive week for Messi, who won his first major international title with Argentina when they beat Brazil in the Copa America final. Messi was named the tournament's joint best player along with Neymar after finishing as the joint top goalscorer.
