Messi signs new contract with Barcelona until 2018

World Player of the Year Lionel Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona which ties him until June 30 2018, the Spanish League leaders said on Thursday.

- I never want to leave Barcelona, says Messi

The 25-year-old penned a deal agreed in December, which includes a two-year extension on his previous agreement and secures his services until he is 31.

The Argentina captain joined Barcelona's youth academy as a 13-year-old and made his first-team debut at 16.

Messi is Barca's leading scorer of all time, he has been the top scorer in the Champions League for the last four years and racked up a calendar year record 91 goals for club and country in 2012.

Photograph: Heino Kalis/Reuters