Messi commits future to Barcelona

Lionel Messi has signed a two-year contract extension with FC Barcelona that ties the 22-year-old Argentina forward to the UEFA Champions League holders until 2016.

New deal
Included among the details of the reigning UEFA Club Footballer of the Year's deal is a release clause of €250m. Speaking after the 22-year-old attacker agreed new terms with the club, coach Josep Guardiola said: "This is immense news, just as it was when Víctor Valdés and Xavi Hernández signed their respective contract extensions. People go to watch football to see the best players and these are the best."

Martin Jane