BARCELONA: Spanish football giants FC Barcelona have announced three-year contract extension of forward Lionel Messi on Wednesday, which keeps him with the club until 2021. Barcelona in a official statement said that they are satisfied with both the contract extension and Messi’s unquestionable commitment to the club. FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi negotiated the deal, which lead to both reaching mutual agreement over the Barca ace’s future. The statement also penned praise for Messi’s services to the club stating that Argentina forward has spent his entire professional club career in Barcelona, playing vital role in club’s unmatched success over the years. Messi, whose current deal was due to expire in 12 months, has signed his ninth contract extension with the club since joining them, increasing his release clause to €300 million. There had been some concern over Messi’s future as Barca allowed him to edge closer to the end of his current deal. He had offers from various English Premier League (EPL) clubs including Manchester City FC, but Barcelona remained confident that the contract renewal will be signed soon. Messi has scored a club record of 507 goals for Barcelona since joining them in 2001 and making his official debut in 2004, winning numerous individual and group accolades in the process.