September 18th, 2009 @ 1:00p.m.

Argentine forward Lionel Messi has signed a new contract at Barcelona which will keep him at the Nou Camp until 2016.

The 22-year-old, widely expected to win the Ballon d’Or in December, has penned a two-year extension to his last deal.

Messi, who helped Barcelona win an unprecedented treble of Champions League, La Liga and Spanish Cup last season, has a buy-out clause of £225m.

Though born in Argentina, the playmaker has been at Barcelona since he was 13.

Reports suggest Messi has become Barca’s highest earner, with his salary increasing to 9.5m euros per year (£8.1m).

Coach Pep Guardiola expressed his delight at seeing the influential Messi commit his future to the Catalan club.

“It’s an immense piece of news for the club and for the player that Messi is renewing his contract,” said Guardiola.

“It was the same with Victor Valdes and Xavi – people go to football to see the best and that’s what they are.

“It’s a privilege for Barca to have some of the best footballers like Messi.”}

Messi Numbers:

15.5 million dollars a year

1,291,666 dollars a month

43,055 dollars per day

Plus advertising: Movistar, Pepsi, Gillette, Adidas, and sooooo many others, i will add about 10 million a year easily.