Barcelona defender Jordi Alba says Lionel Messi signing a new contract is great news for Barcelona.

Barcelona defender Jordi Alba says Lionel Messi signing a new contract is great news for Barcelona. – on this picture you can see him with his fourth Ballon d’Or-

Messi extended his deal with the blaugrana until 2018 on Thursday, and the Spain left-back praised his team-mate as being on his way to becoming the greatest footballer of all time.

“I can’t imagine what Messi will be like in 2018, but it’s great news for Barca fans that he’s staying,” Alba told the club’s official website.

“He is the best player in the world and as long as nothing happens, he’ll be the best ever. We’ll try to make him feel as comfortable here as we can.

“I was once unlucky enough to have to face him as an opponent, but now I’m here I’m delighted to have him as a team-mate. I have never seen anybody capable of doing the things that he can do.”

Lionel Messi has hinted he may finish his career in Argentina after extending his Barcelona contract to June 2018.