Lionel Messi will still be playing at the top level for another “six or seven years”, according to his former Barcelona team-mate Xavi Hernandez.
The Argentine, 32, has won 34 trophies since joining the Camp Nou club in 2004.
He is out of contract next year and doubts over his future at Barcelona were raised by his clash with the club over pay reductions at the start of the coronavirus crisis.
Xavi, who now coaches in Qatar, said: “He still has six or seven good years to come before his retirement.
"I can confirm that he takes great care of himself and he will be able to go on until he is 37, 38 or 39. He will certainly be part of the World Cup organised in 2022.”
Messi came to within 90 minutes of delivering the World Cup to Argentina in 2014.
Germany beat them 1-0 in the final with their 2018 hopes ending in the Round of 16 at the hands of France.
World Cup winner Xavi, who revealed he turned down the chance to join the Barcelona coaching staff in January, hopes Messi and Neymar will be reunited at the Catalan club in time.
"There's no doubt he is one of the three to five best in the world," he claimed.
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"He can make the difference.I'm a Barca fan and I want the best there. He would be an extraordinary signing."
Spanish clubs have returned to training this week and hope to re-start La Liga next month.
Elsewhere in Europe, the Bundesliga plans to resume in a matter of weeks while the Premier League continues with Project Restart but is awaiting the latest government advice.
