Barça's Bartomeu: I think Lionel Messi will continue beyond 2021

Josep Maria Bartomeu recognises that Lionel Messi doesn't have, nor will he ever have, a replacement. The Barcelona president also hopes that the Argentine will continue at Camp Nou beyond 2021, when his current contract expires. 

"Behind Messi, there is no one, not at Barça and not in any other place," Bartomeu told the French publication 'Le Figaro' ahead of the Champions League game against Olympique Lyon.

"We're now thinking (about life after Messi), but that's in the distant future. He's a young player, he's 31 and he has two more years on his contract, but I think he will extend his career beyond 2021." 

Bartomeu did admit that Barça "have to think about the young talent. [Jean Clair] Todibo, [Frenkie] de Jong, [Ousmane] Dembele and Arthur are really young players with a long-term future at the club. They will consolidate themselves here little by little." 

Neymar not asked to come back

Bartomeu also spoke about Neymar and once again insisted that "neither the player, his father nor anyone around him has called us to say he wants to return." 

And even if they did, it would be tough: "It seems very difficult [that Neymar could come back]. The big clubs don't want to sell their players. We want great players to win, not to do business. Neymar bought his freedom for 222 million euros but Barça didn't want that money. We didn't want to sell. 

"In Spain we have the obligation to have a release clause. But if anyone wants to buy [Sergio] Busquets, [Gerard] Pique or Messi, they're not for sale. I think there will be very few transfers between big clubs."