Lionel Messi, Xavi And Carles Puyol Agree Barcelona Contracts

Three Amigos

Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol and Xavi have all signed new contracts with Barcelona.

Messi, 25, will ink a new deal until 2018 "in the coming weeks", Barça said on their website.

Xavi, 32, and Puyol, 34, meanwhile have both agreed extensions until 2016.

The trio were all nurtured at the club's famed La Masia academy and have won 38 trophies between them.

Messi celebrates with Xavi and Carles Puyol after scoring against Real Betis in December

Despite Real Madrid's Primera Liga win and Barça failing to defend their Champions League title, Messi has enjoyed an extraordinary 2012, netting his 89th and 90th goals of 2012 at the weekend.

The 25-year-old has already surpassed Gerd Müller's 40-year-old record of 85 goals in a calendar year and he is also in contention to claim a fourth successive Ballon d'Or crown. He is joined by teammate Andrés Iniesta and Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo on the three-man shortlist.

Puyol's deal was due to run out at the end of the season and Xavi's next season, but both Catalans will continue to play for their boyhood club well into their late 30s.

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