Lionel Messi will sign new Barcelona deal, says David Villa
Wednesday 28 December 2016 10:00, UK
David Villa is convinced Lionel Messi will not leave Barcelona and will pledge his future to the La Liga club by signing a new contract.
The Argentine forward is yet to agree an extension to his current deal which expires in the summer of 2018 and has been linked with a move away from the La Liga champions in recent months.
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu has previously insisted it is the club's desire for Messi to finish his playing career at the Nou Camp and Villa believes his former team-mate will soon put pen to paper on fresh terms to stay.
"I think it will happen [a renewal] in the future, sooner or later," said Villa, who scored 48 in 119 matches during a three season spell at Barcelona.
"Barcelona love Messi and Messi loves Barca, anything else we can't imagine."
Barcelona have already tied down Neymar, Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano and Luis Suarez to contract extensions this year, with Messi's signature top of their agenda for 2017.
Messi - a five-time Ballon d'Or winner- enjoyed a successful 2016, scoring 40 goals in 35 matches as Barca clinched the La Liga title.
However, the 29-year-old missed out on the 2016 Ballon d'Or award to long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo after the Real Madrid and Portugal forward claimed the Champions League crown and Euro 2016 title.
"I think it is a difficult vote to evaluate," Villa said.
"Sometimes, personal performance is counted over others because of the displays of the team. That happened this year and has happened in many others."
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