Barcelona presidential candidate says Messi deserves new contract

Lionel Messi deserves a big-money new contract at Barcelona, says one of the club's presidential candidates Joan Laporta.

Messi withdrew a transfer request in the summer after becoming disillusioned with the running of the club under Josep Maria Bartomeu, promising to see out the final year of his contract.

Manchester City, PSG and Inter Milan have all been heavily linked with the Argentine, while interim president Carlos Tusquets, who took over from Bartomeu in October, raised eyebrows last week by saying that the club should have sold Messi in the summer to raise funds.

Messi has been below his best so far this season under new boss Ronald Koeman, with Barcelona languishing in ninth in LaLiga after a shock 2-1 defeat to Cadiz on Saturday and their star man having scored just four goals in 10 league games.

But Laporta, who was Barcelona president between 2003 and 2010, believes Messi is worth his weight in gold despite being 33 years old.

'You could argue many reasons for him staying. I prefer to think about what Leo generates, which is a lot – certainly more than his salary may cost,' Laporta told Sport. 'I'm not just talking about the sporting level, which is already well known.

'I consider him the best footballer in history. Leo is so much more than just that. In my opinion all players, when they win many titles and generate so much for the club, deserve to be valued accordingly.

'At least that's how I'll try to make it happen. Leo is, I repeat, the best player in the world and possibly in the history of football. What you have to keep in mind is that he loves Barca and has shown that repeatedly.

'He is a club man and is comfortable at Barcelona and in the city. That is another factor that leads us to think the best thing for us is for the Messi-Barcelona relationship to continue.'

However, Laporta acknowledges that the club will need to make a considerable effort to show their best-ever player that they mean business about challenging for titles once more. Last season was the club's trophyless season since 2007-08.

'You have to be imaginative,' he said. 'Knowing Messi is not guided by money, and I assure you that is the case, we must make a proposal that can convince him Barca has a team capable of winning the Champions League.

'That is essential. It is what will be more valuable to Leo when deciding his future at the end of the season. I am convinced of that.

'Leo and I have a relationship of mutual affection. He knows that whenever I have made him a proposal, it has been fulfilled. Leo knows it and has told me personally he valued that very much. He should finish his career at Barca.'

The one silver lining for Barcelona this term has been their form in the Champions League, with five wins out of five putting them top of their group and meaning they are already through to the knockout stage of the competition. Their final group game is against Juventus at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.