Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano believes that superstar Lionel Messi will sign a new contract and end the speculation about his future.

He also expects the Argentine to stay at the Camp Nou and end his career. Messi has entered into the last 18 months of his contract, which will expire in the summer of 2018. However, there have been rumours about Messi contemplating a new challenge for the first time in his career. After coming through the ranks at Barcelona, Messi became widely acknowledged as the best player in the history of the game. His five FIFA Ballon d’Or awards are testament to his success.

The Spanish club recently extended the contract of Neymar and Luis Suarez. It made these two players as the best paid at the club, a status enjoyed by Messi for several years. However, Barcelona are not in a position to return Messi to the status of the highest-paid player due to the finances being in a critical condition.

The club will have to meet certain revenue requirements in order to have a certain wage bill. At this moment, they have met the requirements and giving a new expensive contract for Messi will make the club unstable. As a result, Barcelona are yet to make an offer. Amidst interest from China and even a potential return to Argentina, Mascherano believes that Messi will stay at Barcelona.

"The marriage between Barca and Messi has been beneficial for both parties. There's a lot of love left in that marriage. Leo is a player who begins in the middle [of the pitch] but has the ability to end up in the area, he's unique in that respect. He can start things in one half and finish them in the other," said Mascherano about the possibility of Messi staying at the Camp Nou beyond the current contract.