Xavi: 'Messi needs Barcelona'

Xavi is confident Lionel Messi will sign a new deal with Barcelona and feels the prolific attacker needs the Catalans.

Published : Apr 03, 2017 20:25 IST

Barcelona icon Xavi has urged the Catalans to act swiftly and tie down Lionel Messi to a new deal and believes the Argentine needs the club as much as the other way around.

The 29-year-old's existing contract is due to expire at the end of the 2017-18 campaign and no agreement over a renewal has yet been reached.

Xavi is confident Messi will sign a renewal, but has warned Barca not to keep its star man waiting much longer.

"I am convinced Messi will sign a new deal. Barcelona need Messi, but Messi also needs Barcelona," Xavi told TV3 .

"He looks happy to me, more mature and calm than ever before. I cannot see him change clubs, but we have to act swiftly.

"It would be a historical mistake for Barcelona not to renew Messi's contract. Leo is the best player in history. His importance will become even more clear once he retires."

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