Barcelona has 24 hours before Lionel Messi becomes a free agent

Lionel Messi is focused on leading Argentina in the ongoing Copa America, as it has qualified for the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Messi's future with Barcelona remains uncertain while he would become a free agent in 24 hours.

Lionel Messi is an Argentine football legend and is one of the best in the world, as he continues to prove it with each passing game. He is currently busy leading Argentina in the 2020 Copa America, as the side has qualified for the quarterfinals, where it would take on Ecuador on Saturday.

However, there is one situation involving Messi that has the whole working talking on Wednesday. It is his future with current club Barcelona, which would become his former club from Thursday.

The reason why is because Messi's current contract expires at the stroke of midnight. Consequently, Barcelona has 24 hours before its legendary Argentine becomes a free agent.

While fans impatiently await Messi's future course of action and destination, reports continue to state that he will likely sign a new contract with the Catalan. However, it is unlikely to happen within the next 24 hours and could take days before the Argentine pens a new deal, which is expected to occur after he is done with his Copa commitments.

But, Barcelona also needs to be careful regarding Messi's contract negotiations, considering that it is under a debt of over €1 billion. Also, the Catalan has been warned by La Liga president Javier Tebas that it would need to reduce its wage bill to afford the Argentine, which could mean that Messi might have to take a pay cut to continue playing at Camp Nou.

Barca is expected to hand Messi a long-term contract with lesser pay that would make up for it in the upcoming ten years. It would mean that Messi would remain at Camp Nou even beyond his playing days, associated in some administrative role. At the same time, the new contract would also allow him to have a short stint in America's Major League Soccer, most likely for Inter Miami.

However, since Messi would be turning a free agent, it could mean Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain stepping up to snatch the Argentine for his priceless services. The two clubs are the only ones who can realistically afford Messi in the current scenario. In contrast, Barca would be helpless if any of it manages to get the Argentine's signature.

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