Ex-Barcelona president Laporta shocked that Messi was not yet offered a new improved contract

The 51-year-old is shocked that Barcelona FC have still not tied the four-time Ballon d'Or winner down to a new deal yet.

"It’s shocking the Messi situation still hasn’t been resolved," the ex-Barca supremo told Cuatro. "If it were down to me, Leo would be a cule forever.”

Lionel Messi signed a deal with the Barcelona FC in February of last year that bound him to the Catalan club until 2018. However with the arrival of Neymar who despite being unproven on the European stage and just 21 years of age is given a contract which pay him more than any of the team players.

There has been talk of an extension in recent weeks but current Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed last Sunday that the club are merely planning "a modification to his existing contract", namely improved terms. This unwillingness of the club to improve Messi's contract make him feel unimportant to the club and the club seemed to be giving more importance to Neymar who has been starting in the team despite not performing well in comparison to Pedro or Alexis Sanchez.