Messi signed the new deal on Saturday to tie him to Barcelona through 2021, meaning the Argentina forward will be 34 by the time it expires. With his former contract set to run out next summer, Messi would have been free to listen to offers from other teams on Jan. 1. Messi's new deal includes a buyout clause of 700 million euros ($1.061 billion dollars). It had originally been set at 300 million euros ($358 million). A five-time winner of the Ballon d'Or for soccer's best player, Messi has helped Barcelona win 30 titles.

Source: CBC News November 25, 2017 15:22 UTC