Barcelona's president Joan Laporta has described Lionel Messi as the teams "leader", and said the Argentine forward deserves a new deal that will make him the highest played footballer in the world.

"Messi deserves the [contract] renewal because he is the teams leader and the best player in the world," Laporta said to reporters in Spain.

"Messi is a great player. It's hard to see a Barcelona team without him."

The 22-year-old Argentinian is reportedly set to earn in the region of €10 million per year plus performance related incentives.

Laporta also said that the club must make an intelligent decision in relation to the contract of coach Pep Guardiola, keeping in mind that although the coach won everything last season, that is now in the past.

He added, "He won everything last year, but we must make an intelligent move. All of that is in the past now, and we are in the present.

"We start from scratch although it is good to remember. We must continue with the same effort as last year."