Transfer Centre

Rivaldo: 'Barcelona need a major title to convince Lionel Messi to stay'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 19 November 2020

Barcelona will have to win either the Champions League or La Liga this season to stand a chance of convincing Lionel Messi to sign a new deal, according to Rivaldo.

Rivaldo has claimed that Barcelona will have to win either the Champions League or La Liga this season to stand a chance of convincing Lionel Messi to stay at the club.

Messi attempted to exit the Catalan giants during the recent transfer window, but Barca managed to block the move as they have the Argentine on a contract until next June.

The speculation surrounding the 33-year-old's future is again gathering pace, with Manchester City believed to be the favourites to sign him either in January or at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Rivaldo, who represented the La Liga giants between 1997 and 2002, has claimed that a major piece of silverware will be needed to entice the South American into penning a fresh deal.

"Barcelona had already negotiated some salary cuts with players and also tried to make a general cut that was declined by the squad, so, this is not new for the players," Rivaldo told Betfair.

"But it does reinforce the idea that reaching an agreement to renew Messi's contract is going to be tough with a reduced margin to increase his salary.

"Of course, Messi will have better offers from other clubs, and was already trying to leave the club by the end of last season. I can't see how our board will convince him to take a step back on that decision.

"In my opinion, only winning a Champions League or La Liga title this season, or watching [Ronald] Koeman getting the team playing beautiful football can convince Messi to reconsider his options. Unfortunately I'm afraid this will be his last season with the club."

Messi, who recently suggested that he remains unhappy with life at the club, has scored six times and registered four assists in 10 appearances for Koeman's side this term.