Lionel Messi Committed to Barcelona But Refuses to Rule Out China Move in the Future

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has not ruled out what would be a sensational move to China in the future, although he remains adamant that he's currently still keen to stay at Camp Nou despite his expiring contract.

Messi has just 12 months left to run on his contract after rejecting the offer of an extension last summer shortly after suffering disappointment at international level with Argentina at the Copa America Centenario.

Yet even though he appears no closer to coming to an agreement, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is still happy to stay put. China isn't off the table further down the line, though.

"[Staying at Barcelona] is what I've always wanted, what I always dreamed of and what I always said I'd do. But I wouldn't say [moving to China] is impossible, no," Messi explained in an interview with Tencent - ESPN's partner in China.

"No one can say that anything is impossible in football. Anything can happen [in football] but today I'll tell you - no, it hasn't crossed my mind."
Messi is already establishing links with China anyway after news emerged earlier this month of a theme park set to be called 'The Messi Experience Park' opening in Nanjing in 2019.

In other Messi news, OK Diario in Spain carries a report that he could see his 21-month suspended prison sentence for tax fraud replaced by a €255,000 fine instead.

Messi and his father, Jorge, recently lost an appeal against the initial 2016 guilty verdict, but after a request by the defence team, the state prosecutor is apparently now open to having the prison sentences removed if the maximum fine possible is imposed.