Barcelona are ready to tie down Lionel Messi to a new contract that will see him end his playing career at the Nou Camp.

The Argentine's existing deal still has two years to run but Barca are confident that the 32-year-old can still play at his prime beyond the 2022 World Cup.

In addition, the new deal would effectively be a lifelong contract and also see Messi remain at Barca long after his playing days are over, according to Mundo Deportivo.

LIonel Messi, pictured with his UEFA forward of the year trophy in August, could be in line to earn a contract for life at Barcelona as he looks to extend a playing career beyond 2022

There is though no rush to get a new deal done, with the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu and Messi's father Jorge in constant contact.

Messi still remains motivated at the top level despite winning every major club and personal honour and is hoping for, realistically, one last shot at winning the World Cup with Argentina when he will be 35-years-old in Qatar.

The deal is not so much a formality though with Messi open to the idea of returning to Rosario in Argentina and representing his home town club Newell's Old Boys.

But leaving the Spanish champions would prove a tough breakaway for Messi who has nearly spent two decades at the club after arriving as a youth prospect in 2001.

The Argentine forward still has ambitions of winning a major international prize

During that time he has fired home 419 goals in 452 appearances spanning 15 years in the senior squad.

Messi has yet to play for the La Liga outfit this term following a summer of representing Argentina at the Copa America.

Since returning from South America he has picked up a calf injury delaying his start to the season.