Lionel Messi in talks with Barcelona over new contract

Barcelona have begun negotiations with Lionel Messi over a new deal for the forward.

The 29-year-old is currently contracted to the Spanish champions until 2018 but is set to extend his stay even further at Camp Nou.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has made 549 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 473 goals and helping the club to 29 trophies including eight domestic titles and four Champions League crowns.

"It makes me more relaxed," manager Luis Enrique told reporters on the news that talks with Messi had begun.

Meanwhile, Luis Suarez is expected to put pen to paper on a deal to keep him at the club until 2022 in the coming days.