5 players who are likely to retire at Barcelona

#5 Lionel Messi

FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2015

The talismanic Argentine has been the central character in Barcelona for over a decade. Although an Argentine by birth, the forward has spent the majority of playing career in Barcelona, only drifting away for national duties with Argentina. Yet another graduate of the famed La Masia system, Messi has developed himself into the greatest player of all time. An unalienable fulcrum of the squad, the leader of the dressing room, the best player on the pitch, and a personality that everyone appreciates, La Pulga only recently penned down a new contract with his boyhood club, dismissing all rumours of a move to Manchester City.

While Pep Guardiola, former Barcelona Coach, current manager of Manchester City and Messi's mentor has insisted that the Argentine is destined to end his career for the Blaugrana, media reports suggested that Barcelona incompetence might force the little man to pack his bags and follow Guardiola to the blue side of Manchester. However, Ernesto Valverde's appointment in the summer, Neymar's big money move to Paris and a turbulent transfer window in the summer of 2017 threw all the pressure upon the man from Argentina. Barcelona has started the new season on a high, yet unbeaten.

"I have said this more than once. Messi will end his career at Barcelona." - Pep Guardiola

FC Barcelona v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Semi-Final

Leo Messi's former team-mates including the likes the Xavi and current Barcelona super-stars like Pique and Iniesta all insisted it is rather written for Messi to extend his contract with the Catalans, a lack of photographic evidence bothered the fans. However, to the joy of the fans, the club confirmed Messi signing a new deal with FCB, making his the world's highest-paid footballer with a buy-out clause of over a billion dollars and keeping his talents at the Camp Nou for at least 2021, and by that time he would be 34, considerably past the peak of his star-studded career.

He made his debut 4,788 days ago.He has played 602 games.He has scored 523 goals.He has won 30 trophies.The story continues.#Messi2021 pic.twitter.com/XPdIhvaqgI

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 25, 2017

A young Messi once stated that he would be more than happy to end his career at Barcelona if the circumstances allow him to but a return to Argentine football could also be on the cards when the Argentine reaches the end of his majestic career. However, all those linked with the Azulgrana are confident of keeping the little man from Rosario under their helm for as long as time permits.