Though the Catalan giants go into the final weekend of their domestic league campaign with a decent chance of clinching the La Liga title this season has proven something of a troubling one forBarcelona.

Newly installed boss Gerardo Martino saw his side crash out of the Champions League semi-finals to Atletico Madrid and Barcelona lost the Copa del Rey final to arch rivals Real Madrid.

Messi has himself had problems with injuries and has had to deal with a tax evasion court case, though has still racked up an astonishing 41 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions.

As yet there is no information as regards to the length of Messi’s new deal or indeed the salary he will receive though one would imagine that he will be offered terms equal to, or indeed higher, than the amount Real Madrid agreed to pay Cristiano Ronaldo in his latest contract.