Argentina’s talismanic player Lionel Messi has officially signed a new Barcelona contract. This deal will run until the end of the 2020-21 season. Since joining the club as a 13-year old, Messi has helped Barcelona win eight Spanish league titles and won the Champions League four times. The 30-year old’s previous deal was due to expire next year. So far, he has scored 523 goals in 602 appearances for the club.

In July, the club announced that Messi had agreed to a new deal. This was after reports emerged that he rejected an initial offer in May. In a statement, FC Barcelona said Messi “still has a lot more to give, which is music to the ears of all Barca fans who will get to continue marvelling at his greatness”. Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu said, “We are in luck with the Barça players. We continue to enjoy the best player in the history of football.”

The Argentine said, “I’m happy to continue with the Club, which is my home. My dream was to finish my career at Barca and we are moving down that path. The objective is to continue achieving things, fill the club’s trophy cases, and keep making history at Barca. We’ve been lucky enough to have won a great many things and I hope there will be more in the future.”

First Barcelona Contract and Now a Golden Boot

On Friday, Messi received his fourth Golden Shoe award after scoring more goals than any other player across all of Europe’s major leagues last season. This feat draws him level with Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi scored 37 goals in La Liga last season as Barca finished second in the table.

The Argentina forward managed to fend off Dutch striker Bas Dost. Dost netted 34 times for Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. Messi that previously won the Golden Shoe in 2009-10 (34 goals), 2011-12 (50 goals) and 2012-13 (46 goals). Teammate Luis Suarez presented him with the trophy. The Uruguayan won the award in 2015-16 with 40 goals.