All that's missing in Lionel Messi's renewal is the official announcement from the club that the contract has been signed.
The Copa America champion will extend his stay at the Camp Nou for another five years, which will allow Barcelona to rest easily with peace of mind knowing that their greatest ever player's future is safe.
As well as that, it will give Messi the chance to further grow his own legend before hanging up his boots or moving to MLS. But what's left for him to achieve?
The World Cup and the Champions League: The priorities
There's nothing Messi wants more than to win the World Cup with Argentina and the Champions League with Barcelona.
Winning the Copa America has only temporarily quenched his thirst, but now he sees the World Cup as more winnable than ever before. And if Joan Laporta delivers on his promise to build a competitive team at Barcelona, maybe he can conquer Europe once again as well.
To be Barcelona's longest serving player
This coming season will be Messi's 18th at Barcelona, and he's two games off Xavi's record of 151 Champions League appearances - more than anyone else.
To win the most titles
Before calling time on his career, Messi will want to overtake his close friend Dani Alves as the footballer to have won the most titles. The Brazilian has 44 to Messi's 38.
When discussing only club titles, Messi has 35 - one shy of Ryan Giggs' record.
Goals
If Messi can continue scoring at his current rate, he'll hit 500 league goals in no time, currently 27 off. Among all competitions, he has just 33 more to score to hit 800.
Cutting off Cristiano
Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to have come close to Messi during his career, and both have won an impressive number of Ballon d'Ors. Messi has six to the Portuguese's five, and it's unlikely that the Juventus forward will get another.??Messi, though, could get a seventh this year.
The two are also close when it comes to Champions League goals, though Messi trails Cristiano by 16 and it looks hard for the No.10 to close that gap.
Pette
952
the world cup, can be a favorite, trophy for him & argentina
voybcdkrt
848
it has to be the world cup without a doubt. Winning it alone would literally confirm his legacy as the greatest footballer of all time
intisarahallunimessi
606
He can overcome Alves by winning more than 44 trophies and be the absolute GOAT.
Messi_the_Real_GOAT
510
nothing.... just admit the truth that he is the greatest footballer of all time
SIDKAUSH
505
Everything THAT CR7 has already achieved
Pok3rfac3
382
Lionel Messi has dominated football like no other π!!!
Panabklmn
373
world bast
itz_me_ojei
361
Can't wait.π₯ Messi's 2nd International trophy loading..ππ¦π·
Impactful
326
The way Messi wins Ballon d'Or so easily, I suspect he will still end up winning it even if he plays in Major league Soccer
Brightberry
309
THE award Messi has no WON. Puskas Award π
N0_N0NsENSE
293
This is how Leo Messi is gonna arrive at the Camp Nou after he wins his 7th Ballon dβOr! π₯π₯π₯ πππ
zumamruy
266
World cup will be a greatest achievement
amartious2000
210
Many are Stars, Few are Legends and One is GOAT Messi.
satyaballa
152
only world cup here I guess..ππ
nomnwz
25
Everything THAT CR7 has already achieved
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Like WC golden ball, WC winner, International tournament best player award, top free kick scorer, most G/A in international major tournaments, winning international tournament with a 75% of direct goals involvement, most Ballon dors, most golden boots. And don't even come back with team trophy arguments because we are talking about individuals here lmao π€£
voncikortz
20
Messi will never win the golden foot award
you must be dreaming....He first won the golden foot...check your facts before
Zibcdnptyz
15
THE award Messi has no WON. Puskas Award π
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Ronaldo will never win the golden boy award
EIEBDIEH
14
Everything THAT CR7 has already achieved
[image]
U sure?
Brightbery
13
Everything THAT CR7 has already achieved
[image]
u mean more height,more weight and more penalties right? because messi is superior in everything else
nomnwz
13
lol individual achivement are always secondary in a team sport, Messi himself said that. And CR7 is all time top scorer of Wc, Euros, Football history, All time top scorer of major international tournaments (wc+euro), All time assit in Euros. Only player in this generation with 100+ int goals. Most hattricks in int football. Euro golden boot. Only captain two win both continental championship of Europe. Copa america even Spurs can reach the finals and can probably win it
individual achievements are secondary for players(not for Cr7 though because he doesn't care about team anyway)... But individual achievements are the best parameter while comparing individuals. So your football knowledge is as baseless as your idol on international stage π
SilverSurfer
13
THE award Messi has no WON. Puskas Award π
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He was snubbed in 2015, goal against Athletic Bilbao in the final of the copa del rey!!!
sgd_2
13
Messi will never win the golden foot award
Dream againππ
nomnwz
11
international flop fans talking abt international stage [Crylaugh][Crylaugh] GOD have mercy on you, go win another copa america it will probably happen every year with 3 teams competing, hope he doesn't take 17 years to win a B grade comp [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Do you know anything about history kid? Copa america occured after 4 years till 2015. 2016 edition was a special one for 100th anniversary of competition. 2019 was 4 years after 2015 and 2020(postponed to 2021) was asked from FIFA to conduct copa with euros so format can be matched. next will be in 2024 as will be euros.
i_dont_care
11
Messi will never win the golden foot award
he will eventually. Golden Foot is given only once after age of 28. one award Messi will never win is Dubai D'or
Rudabceksz
10
nations league is uefa tournament its bigger than Euros [Crylaugh][Crylaugh] Euros >nations league = copa america, he's international flop nothing can change that Argentina has won much much more trophies without him
I can see pain talking. Save some tears for December ππ€£πππ€‘π©
nomnwz
9
international flop fans talking abt international stage [Crylaugh][Crylaugh] GOD have mercy on you, go win another copa america it will probably happen every year with 3 teams competing, hope he doesn't take 17 years to win a B grade comp [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
by the way who is international flop? the one with most individual awards in international major tournaments history(3) or the one with 0? While Nations League is merely a friendly tournament, he even wasn't best player of this tournament as well. who is the flop? kidoo
apex_pavan100
9
dream is free so you can dream
like Liverpool winning another league title before 30yrs
i_dont_care
9
tell you what Messi is younger than Ronaldo by 2 years so if see Messi performance in next 2 year you will see a big change then so comparing thier performance from specific date is completely baseless if you still don't get it better go watch cartoon
when it is about ur advatage then u keep crying about it that Ronaldo is 36 and still doing this and that.. but as soon as u realise that him being 36 makes him have played 2 more years than Messi suddenly ur logic changes... π€£
Oneilh
9
THE award Messi has no WON. Puskas Award π
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messi will win it this year with that goal he scored against psg
i_dont_care
8
π ππ your logic seriously like a joke ok just tell me about this which one you will prefer
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and no I don't give that logic to say Messi is better than CR7. Messi and CR7 are comparable only in terms of goalscoring.. everything else Messi trumps Ronaldo. that's why he is the GOAT. I was justifying Modric's win which was fair