Barcelona tie down star trio as Lionel Messi commits until 2018

Lionel Messi has agreed a new contract which will keep him at Barcelona until the summer of 2018.

The three-time World Player of the Year was previously signed up until 2016 and will be 31 by the time his latest deal expires.

And Barca have also tied down one-club stalwarts Xavi and Carles Puyol until the summer of 2016 - effectively for the rest of their careers.

Messi is in the running for a fourth successive FIFA Ballon d'Or, due to be awarded on 7 January, and recently set a new mark for goals scored in a calendar year.

Gerd Muller's record of 85 goals stood for 40 years before the Argentine's double against Real Betis on 9 December took him to 86, and two more followed in each of the games against Cordoba and Atletico Madrid.

Messi will have played 14 seasons at Camp Nou by the summer of 2018, and he already has five Primera Liga winners' medals and three from the Champions League.

Xavi's new deal, meanwhile, is due to expire almost 18 years after his Barca debut as an 18-year-old in 1998 - little more than 12 months before Puyol made his first senior appearance.

Good for Messi and Barcelona, more a move to see of other clubs no doubt and if it doesn't they will ask for a huge fee. I don't see Messi leaving, this will greatly upset city.

Liking the way you share the articles Joe!

messi is there key player. good deal for them, i bet they offer coaching roles to the older stars.