Barca set a date for Messi renewal

'The signature will happen in the next few weeks', were the words spoken by Barcelona spokesperson Josep Vives, who also added that Messi's contract negotiations were carried out 'in a very personal way by president Josep Maria Bartolomeu'.

'We have always said that we are optimistic about Messi's renewal and the player himself made some very explicit statements about it', Vives insisted, also proud to have backed the Argentine when he was placed under investigation for tax fraud.

'We defended him with our heads and hearts, and we would do so again, because we were convinced of our arguments in defence of Leo Messi', he underlined.