Messi To Stay At Barcelona - Rivaldo

  Lionel Messi is close to signing a new Barcelona contract, according to Barca legend Rivaldo. The Argentine superstar's Nou Camp future has been in doubt since he handed in a transfer request last summer. Messi came close to leaving Barcelona last season before backing down and agreeing to see out his contract. But he becomes a free agent at the end of this campaign having initially thought he was 'free to leave' last year. The Argentine great claimed the club went back on their word and said the only way he could leave is if the £600million release fee was met. Messi said he didn't want a legal battle with the club and his potential move to Manchester City collapsed. However, he is still being linked with a Barca exit at the end of this season with Paris Saint-Germain, City and several MLS clubs - including Inter Miami - said to be keen. But iconic Brazilian Rivaldo, 48 - who played for Barca between 1997 and 2002 - says the 33-year-old is staying put after talks with new president Joan Laporta. The Catalan club's new chief held his inauguration ceremony at the Nou Camp which Messi and his team-mates attended. Laporta, 58, elected as Barca's new president for a second spell, used his speech to try and convince Messi to sign a new deal.