Leonel Messi did not become the world's highest-paid footballer

Argentine Leo Messi is set to sign a contract extension which will keep him at Barcelona until 2018, when he will be 31, which will be the striker's sixth deal, the club announced earlier in an official statement.

The Barça star signed his first deal in the 2005-06 season, when he became a professional player at the club after undergoing several medical check-ups. In his first season he broke into the first team and the club quickly offered him an improved deal that same year.

The following campaign, the forward started to make a name for himself and Barça decided to offer him another deal, which included a €150 million buyout clause to deter potential buyers.

Messi had established himself as a first-team player, playing over 35 games and netting 17 goals. Just one year later the Argentine signed a fourth deal with an improved salary of €8.5 million per season. His contract was due to finish in June 2014.

'The Flea' signed his last extension three years ago in the 2009-10 season, when he committed to the Catalan club until June 2016 and received another pay rise up to €11 million per season. The buyout clause also increased to €250 million.

The Barcelona legend's new deal, which will keep him at the club for an extra two years, on top of his current deal, was announced earlier today.

Messi now has an impressive six contracts, two Copa del Rey titles, five league titles, five Supercopa de España titles, three Champions League tiles, two European Super Cups and two Club World Cups to his name.Record did not become the world's highest-paid footballer Leonel Messin.