It is hard to remember a time when Barcelona did not have Lionel Messi on the pitch. The star has been with the club since he was 13 and has gone on to win five Ballon d'Ors and four Champions League medals. However, will there be a time when Messi is playing for someone else? The Barcelona star admits it could happen at some point.
At 28 years old, Messi has no plans of retiring any time soon. He is currently staring on a Barcelona team leading La Liga following a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Round of 16 in Champions League play. He is helping the club ride a 34-match unbeaten streak and showing no signs of slowing down. However, Messi admits that before his career ends, he could see himself going back and playing in Argentina. Messi is the captain of the Argentina national team which came in second at the 2014 World Cup.
"It's something that I would still like to do. I don't know when, but it's a possibility," Messi said. "I haven't set myself any goals, short or long term, but I'd like to keep playing whilst my body allows it and I have something to offer the team. When I know that it's time, I'll make a decision."
For now, Messi is staying put at Barcelona as the team eyes a Champions League title while winning La Liga this season. Messi is expected to remain with Barcelona, but his contract is causing some controversy. At the moment, Barcelona cannot afford to extend the contracts of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. They do not have the funds. Neymar has been on the verge of inking a new five-year contract, but nothing has been agreed upon. There is concern that if Barcelona cannot get a new TV deal in place, it risks losing one of the top three stars on the team.
"All of our players are in a moment where we renew their contracts, we extend their contracts," Barcelona team president Josep Maria Bartomeu said. "Right now I don't see that any of our players have to leave next summer. I cannot tell you if we have done it or not done it, but as a member of the board we are responsible people. We know what is best for our club."
Pressure is coming in from the Premier League for Messi. Manchester City is making a push to sign the star following the hiring of former Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola. If Barcelona has issues with its finances, Messi could be departing the club sooner than anticipated, but nothing is set in stone right now.
