Rivaldo tips Messi to stay at Barca for a few more years

Messi

's current deal with

expires at the end of this season. Messi tried to leave last year and was linked with a move to

and

. But

Rivaldo

believes Messi would extend his contract with the club now that

Joan Laporta

has been elected as president of the team.

“Barcelona are massively improving in the last few weeks, capitalizing on Lionel Messi’s superb form and the election of a new president. Messi looks much more connected and happier since Juan Laporta’s arrival – a president he knows well,”

former Barca star Rivaldo has told 

.

“For that reason, I’m starting to believe more and more that Messi might reach an agreement with the new board and sign a new contract to stay at the club for a few more years.

“Messi had a confidence boost with the new president election – someone he has a good connection with – raising the chances of him considering to stay for a bit longer.”

defender

David Alaba

will be out of contract at the end of the season, and Barca is believed to be one of the teams pursuing this player.

Rivaldo has added:

“It was looking clear that Alaba would sign for Real Madrid at the end of the season, but it seems now that Barcelona are also trying to bring the player in and I’m sure he would be a nice upgrade to Barcelona’s defense.

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