Messi can play for Barcelona till his retirement: Club president

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Tuesday said he would like star player Lionel Messi to play for the club until his retirement.

The Argentine has been at the club since he was 13, making his way through the youth system to win six Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and two Club World Cups with the team, plus four Ballon d'Or awards. He is also their all-time top scorer.

"We work with a leader like Messi, who is the best in the world, but also in history. He has a place here until he decides to quit football," Bartomeu was quoted as saying by Spanish radio RMC.

The club chief was asked about the likelihood of his team showing an interest in signing midfielder Paul Pogba from Italian side Juventus, but he said they are not thinking about it.

"Pogba is a great player, but in this moment we are not thinking about additions. It’s true that we have a sanction that prevents us from signing players until January 2016. We are working so that some players arrive, and others can leave,” Bartomeu said.”