"Many Photos" - Barcelona reveal they are already laying foundations for Lionel Messi’s retirement

BARCELONA PRESIDENT Josep Maria Bartomeu has revealed the club’s recent transfer activity shows they are laying the foundations for Lionel Messi’s retirement.

The Spaniard confirmed the club are investing in “great young players” after the La Liga giants confirmed the £65million deal of Ajax starlet Frenkie De Jong last month.

Barcelona are planning for life without Lionel Messi

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Messi, 31, has netted a staggering 581 goals in 664 games in his 15 years at Barca and remains their star man with 29 strikes from 28 matches this season.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner still has two years left on his contract but Messi has also expressed his desire to play for Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina before retiring.

While Bartomeu expects the Argentian to sign on for a few more years, the 25-time La Liga champions are looking to build a team for the future.

“I know one day Lionel will say he’s retiring,” he told BBC Radio 5Live.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu (right) revealed the club’s transfer activity indicates their plan for the future

FC Barcelona

Messi has two years left on his current deal but remains Barca’s top scorer

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“We have to prepare the club for the future.

“We are bringing great young players to the team because we need to continue this era of success. That’s our responsibility.

“My mandate will be finished in two seasons. So I need to leave the club in a great position and tell the new president ‘that’s our legacy’.”

In addition to De Jong, the Catalan side have also landed 20-year-old Brazilian right-back Emerson, from Atletico Mineiro, in a deal worth £10.5million.

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Messi currently tops La Liga’s goal chart and is chasing his 10th league title, with Barca sitting six points clear of Atletico Madrid with rivals Real trailing by a further two.

He has won nine La Liga titles with Barcelona as well as four Champions League titles and six Copa del Rey’s.

The Barcelona superstar was revealed as the highest-paid player on the planet, taking home £7.3million per MONTH before tax – nearly double that of rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

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News Photo Barcelona reveal they are already laying foundations for Lionel Messi’s retirement
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