Barça president Bartomeu: "I'd like to sign another contract with Messi"

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has given a wide-ranging interview to Catalunya Radio to celebrate the club's 120th anniversary. 

Here is the section in which he speaks about Lionel Messi and Ernesto Valverde's futures with the club: 

When will Lionel Messi renew?

I am worried about the day Messi retires. I would like him to sign another contract. (His current deal) ends in 2021. He still has time ahead of him, we've spoken many times about it. He doesn't have any problem with continuing at Barca. I have no doubt that he will play here until he retires, that he's committed to the club. There are no doubts about him ending his career here and ending it when he wants. We will give him as many contracts as he wants, I hope he can sign one more with me as president. 

And after Messi?

Hopefully, he's got a while yet. He's 32, he has time ahead of him. In addition, we have young talent from La Masia. Ansu Fati has renewed his deal, but there's also (Carles) Aleña, Frenkie de Jong's just signed, (Marc-Andre) Ter Stegen, (Ousmane) Dembele. We have to prepare for the future with the younger players. The day that Messi leaves, the game will be different. 

Why is Valverde so serious?

All the managers I've had have been serious. Rijkaard, Martino, Guardiola, Lucho, Ernesto. They're all serious. The responsibility is huge (in the job), it demands a lot. You have to win everything here. If you don't win everything it's not a good season. But Ernesto's fun away from the camera, he's endearing. People have said Ernesto, Lucho, Pep, Tito, Tata are all very serious. Maybe Rijkaard was the change because with Ronaldinho he brought smiles. 

Will he continue next season? 

He has a deal until 2021 but in spring there's an option where he can decide if he wants to continue or not. All coaches have had it. In his contract, he can decide or we can. Continuing depends on many variables. Rijkaard was five years here, Guardiola four, Luis Enrique three.... 

I'm told that three years could be enough for Valverde 

Maybe ... But it's a decision which he or the club must make according to how things go, the effort or the exhaustion...  

Is he exhausted? 

No way, he's motivated still. I want success, for things to go well this season and above all to link this generation which has won everything with the new one coming through that wants to win everything.