Barcelona news: Lionel Messi Nou Camp future in doubt - Rakitic
BARCELONA midfielder Ivan Rakitic claims he is not certain that star Lionel Messi will remain at the club forever.
Ernesto Valverde confirmed that the club had agreed a four-year contract in the summer but the deal has yet to be signed.
It has also been rumoured that the Catalan outfit are in the process of drawing up a lifetime contract for the Argentine - similar to the one given to Andres Iniesta.
Speculation had become rife over a potential exit from the Nou Camp after Messi was quoted saying he would like to finish his career at his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys.
But Rakitic wants him to stay on in Spain for the rest of his career - but he is unsure if that will be the outcome.
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I can't say 100 per cent if he will stay or not. That's his decision and you have to respect what each person thinks or does.
"Leo's part of the club's badge," Rakitic said.
"I am confident he will [stay].
"He is not just a very important player, he is more than that, looking at his career, how much he means for Barca.
“I can't say 100 per cent if he will stay or not. That's his decision and you have to respect what each person thinks or does.
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"We know the fans want to see the picture, the handshake; I do, too. I want to play with Leo tomorrow, three years, five years in the future.
“The only thing we can say as teammates is that we want him to stay, he has all our support and we enjoy being with him.
"From what I have read and been told, things are going well.
“I have confidence in the president and in Leo and I know he wants to be with us."
