The player's dad and agent Jorge Messi flew from Argentina to Barcelona yesterday to begin discussions on a renewal of Messi's current contract, which runs out in June 2018.
Messi earns £365,000-a-week and, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, he’s the joint highest paid footballer in the world.
But the new deal is set to push him clear to earn even more than his Real Madrid rival.
Barca boss Luis Enrique said: “I celebrate the fact that negotiations have begun. It makes me feel more relaxed.
"He will join other players who are going to renew their contracts soon.”
Messi is Barca's all-time top scorer and joint most decorated player along with Andres Iniesta.
But there had been concern at the Nou Camp surrounding how long it has taken for the two parties to discuss a new contract.
Messi's strike partner Neymar had one year longer on his previous deal than the Argentine and penned a new contract in October.
Luis Suarez, the other member of Barca's 'MSN' attacking trident, is set to sign a new deal imminently.
Enrique added: “When it's announced, if it is, we'll all celebrate it. But at the moment I wouldn't dare to make any prediction."
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