Twitter explodes as Lionel Messi signs new deal at Barcelona

Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas came early for Barcelona as Santa Claus has gifted them a Lionel Messi contract extension to 2021. Now must be a fun time to be a Barcelona fan. Just some months ago, they were dreading the future after the sale of Neymar and acquisition of Paulinho.

And now after a few months, things can't get any better for the Catalans. They have virtually won the league in November, Paulinho is firing on all cylinders and now Lionel Messi has added the perfect icing on the cake by signing extension till 2021 - and that, too, with a €700 million release clause.

His wages, however, hasn't been accurately specified yet, but the hushes in the wind claim it to be around a half a million quid a week for the best player in the world - making him the highest-paid player int he world.

There was a smog over whether Messi would actually sign an extension after the way the club lost Neymar. Josep Bartomeu's supposed incompetency was also something that wasn't pleasing anybody - including Lionel Messi and that led to whispers that he would be off to Manchester City after his previous contract with Barca ends.

But all those worries are gone now and here is how Twitter reacted to it...

---

Barcelona fans are overjoyed and they weren't shy to reveal it

Some went on into banter mode against rival Madrid fans

While some still saw the sad side

And others see this as a gateway to new world class signings

....Barca not worthy of Messi?

Had Messi already signed the contract before?

To be frank, though, this was just a matter of time. I mean, seriously, Messi was never going to leave the club!