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Messi, Xavi, Puyol sign new Barcelona deals

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

FC Barcelona have been boosted ahead of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw with news that Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández and Lionel Messi have extended their contracts.

Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernández and Carles Puyol (left to right) celebrating last week
Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernández and Carles Puyol (left to right) celebrating last week ©Getty Images

FC Barcelona have announced that Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández and Lionel Messi have all agreed terms on new contracts.

Captain Puyol, who has made 374 Liga appearances for the Blaugrana since his debut in October 1999, has signed a three-year extension that ties him to the Camp Nou until June 2016. Xavi, Barcelona's all-time leading appearance holder having played 652 times in all competitions, will pen a similar deal as his previous agreement with the club was due to end in summer 2014.

The 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or nominee Messi, meanwhile, has extended by two years, taking him up to June 2018. Described as "three of the team's reference points" in a club statement, the trio will sign their new terms in the coming weeks.

Group G winners Barcelona will discover their UEFA Champions League round of 16 opponents at Thursday's draw in Nyon.

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