Lionel Messi Says He'd Like to End Career with Barcelona Amid Contract Rumours

Lionel Messi has revealed he would like to stay at Barcelona until the end of his career, as speculation grows the prolific No. 10 will commit his future to the Blaugrana by signing a new contract set to run until 2021.

In an interview with ESPN (h/t Barcelona's official website, via BBC Sport), Messi had this to say on the subject of seeing out his playing days at the Camp Nou: "It's what I always dreamed and what I always wanted."

There have been reports Messi has already agreed in principle to a new deal with Barca to keep him at the Catalan club for the next four years.

Spanish publication Marca (h/t Jack Rathborn of the Daily Mirror) revealed how the Argentina international will put his name to a contract set to pay him amounts that will "vary from year to year."

Rathborn added: "With the agreement close, lawyers will draft up the contracts in the coming weeks to boost Barcelona's offseason after a poor year that saw rivals Real Madrid land La Liga and the Champions League."

However, Spanish source AS (h/t Rathborn, writing for ESPN FC) provided a few more details on the terms Messi could expect to receive from the new deal: "Messi will pick up a huge €30 million per season after tax, which equates to a staggering £500,000 per week, with the news providing Barca a boost after a mediocre season."

The AS and ESPN pieces also noted how the proposed new contract is likely to include a buyout clause worth €400 million for the player with just one year left on his current deal

Messi staying would obviously be a huge boost for new Barca manager Ernesto Valverde, who must build a side capable of taking La Liga's title and the UEFA Champions League off bitter rivals Real Madrid in 2018.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

The former Athletic Bilbao chief must ensure the player who scored a staggering 53 goals in all competitions last season, per WhoScored.com, has the right framework around him.

It will mean making sure the quality of supporting players for Messi is consistently high, as is the service into the him. Ultimately, though, Barcelona will be serious contenders for major trophies as long as Messi plays for the club.