Back to the Northern Illinois Huskies Newsfeed

Lionel Messi deal with Barcelona hits stumbling block; club remain hopeful - sources

Negotiations to renew Lionel Messi's contract with Barcelona hit a stumbling block on Thursday, but the club are still hopeful of tying him down to a new deal, multiple sources told ESPN.

Messi, 34, has been a free agent since his previous terms expired on June 30, but ESPN reported last month that a loose agreement over a five-year extension had been reached.

- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access

Jorge Messi, the player's father and agent, arrived in Barcelona on Thursday to finalise the agreement.