Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu returns Lionel Messi to retirement

Josep Bartomeu said that Barcelona was already preparing for life without Lionel Messi, while the Argentinian star is approaching the twilight of his career.

Messi has been at Camp Nou since 2001 and has become what many people consider to be the greatest footballer of all time.

During his stay in Barcelona, ​​Messi scored 603 goals in 687 games, in all competitions, and won ten titles in La Liga, four leagues of champions and six Copa del Reys.

He is expected to sign an extension of his contract allowing him to stay in Barcelona for another four years, but conversing with Reuters, Bartomeu admitted that the club was already preparing to face Messi's retirement.

"We think it is our job to work on the post-Messi era," he said.

"We are thinking of the post-Messi era because we are bringing in new players … We have to think about this changing era where Messi will stop playing football but, as president, I'm going to play. hope it's going to be great years playing with us again. "

Barcelona has signed five dedications this summer, with the two most prominent personalities being Frenkie de Jong (Ajax) and Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid).

When he retires, Messi will be considered the most legendary player to ever wear the Barcelona jersey.

His goals put him well above the other players of the best scorers of all time in Barcelona. His closest rival, Cesar, found the net "only" 232 times.

Messi hopes to be able to give Barcelona their first title in the Champions League since 2015 next season, after losing to Liverpool in the semi-finals last year, which allowed them to lose a 3-0 home advantage. before losing 4-3. on the aggregate.