Messi agrees new deal

Lionel Messi, Xavi and Carles Puyol have agreed extensions to their Barcelona contracts, Camp Nou officials have said.

The Catalans - quoted at 1/25 with bet365 in the La Liga outright market - revealed on Tuesday that Argentina superstar Messi had committed his future to the club until 2018 and would sign "in the coming weeks". The 25-year-old netted his 89th and 90th goals of 2012 against Atletico Madrid on Saturday having already surpassed Gerd Muller's 40-year-old record of 85 goals in a calendar year. Messi is in contention to claim a fourth successive FIFA Ballon d'Or trophy, being named on a three-man shortlist alongside Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca team-mate Andres Iniesta. Spain defender and Camp Nou stalwart Puyol, 34, has agreed a new contract to stay with Barca until the summer of 2016, while countryman Xavi, 32, has also had his contract extended until the summer of 2016.

Bet HERE

Viewed 608 times