There had been speculation this season that Lionel Messi may leave Barcelona, but he ultimately agreed to a rich new contract.

“No, no, no,” club president Josep Bartomeu reiterated when asked if Barça considered selling Messi. “Messi is more than a player. Pep Guardiola organized everything around Messi. He represents an icon to us.

“Barça is bound to Xavi, to Iniesta, and all the rest. He will play with us until he tells us he wants to leave. It will be his decision. He has won that right, but over the next weeks we will offer him a new contract that will reward him for what he is, the best player in the world. He is our future, our leader.”