default-cbs-image

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has agreed to a three-year contract extension through 2021, the club announced on Wednesday. 

The superstar, whose previous deal was set to expire in the summer of 2018, had long been expected to sign a new contract, with rumors of a potential departure increasing as months went by without a deal. In December, the negotiations reportedly hit a roadblock, but the club remained confident that a deal would get done, with Messi often expressing his desire to remain in Spain.

The announcement comes days after Messi's wedding to longtime girlfriend Antonella Rocuzzo in Argentina. 

At the club, he's gone on to become arguably one of the best players in history and the best player La Liga has ever seen. He's scored 507 goals for the Spanish giants, winning everything imaginable more than once.

"The club is very happy with both the renewal and the commitment of Messi, the best player in history, who has played his full professional career at Barca and has led the team to an era of extraordinary success, the likes of which has never been seen in world football," the club said in a statement.

This new deal keeps him at the Camp Nou until the age of 34, an age around where most players retire. 

This certainly feels like the deal that keeps Messi at Barca for the rest of his career - music to the ears of everyone of the club's fans. 

For news, stories, results and more, follow us:

- @CBSSportsSoccer - @RGonzalezCBS - Facebook