(Reuters) - Under-fire Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has moved to appease fans by claiming Lionel Messi is already playing under a five-year contract, which has been signed on behalf of the player by his father. Bartomeu claimed on Catalan television that the deal has been done and runs through to 2022. "We’ll take an official photo of Messi signing it, but there’s no rush," Bartomeu told 8TV. He's currently playing under the deal, which comes under last season's books. "It runs until 2022 and if he wants he can of course renew it and play at the new Camp Nou stadium.

Source: The Star September 15, 2017 08:37 UTC