Lionel Messi's future up in the air as Barcelona contract ends

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Lionel Messi's future up in the air as Barcelona contract ends

Tales Azzoni

Published Thursday, July 1, 2021 11:55AM EDT

Barcelona merchandise features Lionel Messi

A scarf with the name and photo of Barcelona soccer player Lionel Messi for sale at a street stall in Barcelona, Spain, on July 1, 2021. (Joan Mateu / AP)

Text:

MADRID -- Lionel Messi's contract with Barcelona is coming to an end with no news from the player or the club about his future.

The expectation is that the 34-year-old Messi will stay at the Catalan club. He reportedly had been close to reaching a deal to extend his contract for two more years.

Messi's future has been a mystery since he had his request to leave the club denied at the end of the 2019-20 season. He ended up staying and said he would reconsider his options when this season was over.

He is playing with Argentina at the Copa America.

RELATED IMAGES

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In this Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020 file photo, Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Eibar at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, File)