Messi, his teammates and coach Lionel Scaloni watched the unveiling of a bronze statue of the soccer great at the Único Madres de Ciudades stadium, in Santiago del Estero.
Messi has reached a two-year contract with Barca and all he needs to do is sign a new paper to confirm the deal, reports Spanish sports daily Marca.
Barcelona finished the Spanish league in third place and was knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16. Its only title was the Copa del Rey.
Messi's contract expires at the end of this season, and he hasn't given an indication he will sign a new one.
The national team complex in Ezeiza will become a fortress to host superstar Lionel Messi and his teammates for the tournament, which will be played between June 13-July 10.
Barcelona has one Spanish league match left this season but it’s not in contention for the title anymore in what will be a disappointing ending to another complicated season for the Catalan club.
Club president Joan Laporta has hinted that after a below satisfactory season, Barca need to let go many of his stars and build a new team from scratch.
With Barcelona's season effectively over, Lionel Messi now has a big decision to make. Should he finish out his career at the club that helped him become an all-time football great?
Barcelona played a man down from the 83rd after defender Clément Lenglet was sent off as Santi Mina brace nullified Messi's 30th goal of the season.
Messi received a cross floated cross from Jordi Alba from the left flank and the Argentine magician wasted no time to hit the ball at half-volley in the air to place it past Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez.
Messi invited his teammates and their partners for a barbecue to help the squad bond ahead of a decisive Spanish league match next weekend.
The Barcelona forward’s message coincides with a four-day boycott of social media by soccer leagues, clubs and players in England to protest against online racial abuse and discrimination.
Barcelona lifted the Copa del Rey with a 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in Saturday's final, marking the Dutchman's first title since taking over at Camp Nou in August.
Messi climbed into the tribune after leading the 4-0 win and lifted the trophy high above his head and turned to his team on the pitch below.
Messi has scored a league-high 23 goals and supplied eight assists in 28 La Liga appearances for Barca this season.
The star status of the Barcelona forward, whose contract expires this summer, has been built on numerous titles and scoring records, as well as his exploits in one of soccer's top rivalries.
A late winner by Ousmane Dembele gave Barcelona control of its own fate in the race for La Liga title.
The Barcelona vs Real Valladolid match, which ended 1-0, had its fair share of controversy too as Lionel Messi was seen hitting out at match referee Jaime Latre at half time with the scoreline locked a stalemate.
Barcelona stayed close in La Liga title race by routing fifth-place Real Sociedad 6-1.
Lionel Messi scored twice as he tied Xavi Hernández's record of most appearances for Barcelona.
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