Barcelona Up to 2021 with one year option

Messi thinks it through

The Uruguayan striker has become a key figure at Barcelona since arriving from Liverpool, and Josep Maria Bartomeu and the rest of the Blaugrana board wanted to celebrate his growing influence with the player penning a new contract.

The deal will see him at the Catalan club until 2021 with another year as an option, and the release clause has been bumped up to 200 million euros.

"It brings me great happiness to be where I want to be," Suarez said at an Adidas event on his new deal. "That the club has given me a renewal means that they are happy with my performance and it is a sign of what is still to come.

"My renewal isn't a message to Lionel Messi - he's old enough to know what is good for him.

"My happiness will be complete only if Messi renews his contract as well."

The forward also took the chance to focus on the match ahead, a derby no less, against Espanyol on the weekend.

"Espanyol are in very good form and on a good run," he said. "Every derby is special and it is the type of game where everyone will want to give their all."

Some Blaugrana stars are sure to be rested for the Copa del Rey clash against Hercules, which would mean a longer Christmas break, although Suarez insists he hasn't received any specific instructions from Luis Enrique as to who will be rested.

"Nobody has told us we won't have to play in the Copa del Rey," Suarez said. "The coach hasn't told us anything yet, although it wouldn't be a surprise because we have a lot of cumulative fatigue from so many games, including internationals."