Lionel Messi reacts during a match. File / Reuters

Gulf Today Report

Lionel Messi is reportedly set to extend his stay at Barcelona by signing a five-year deal with his childhood club that too with a pay cut.

Foreign media reported that the Argentina skipper, who had a fall out with club in mid of the season and wanted to leave the Spanish giants, has agreed a new deal.

Speculations were rife that the talisman striker could move to some other club after his contract expired last month. But Barcelona's new president Joan Laporta had quashed the rumours by saying he had struck a deal with the Argentine and it is just the matter of time.

The Argentine holds all the record with Barcelona from being the most-capped player to the highest scorer. He recently equaled Xavi’s record of playing the most number of games.

He has represented Barcelona in 767matches. He can also boast of having scored the most goals, lifting winning most trophies and registering most wins in the club's 121-year history.

He has won 35 trophies with the club since 2002, which feature 10 Spanish League titles, eight Spanish Super Cups, seven Copas del Rey, four Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups and three European Super Cups.

Messi celebrates after scoring a goal. File

He has also won six Ballons d'Or along with many other laurels such as Golden Boots, European Player of the Year and FIFA World Player and Pichichi Trophy.

His three-year contract with the club in 2017 was one of the most lucrative deals in the periphery of football fraternity at that time.

Messi recently won the Copa America, the first major of his international career, beating Brazil 1-0 in the final. He was named the tournament’s joint best player along with Neymar, scoring four goals in the tourney.