Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font says they cannot afford to lose Lionel Messi.

The Argentine's contract at the Camp Nou runs out at the end of next season and there is still no agreement over a new deal.

"Messi is untouchable," Font told TuttoMercatoWeb.

"It's obvious that the project I have in mind for the club involves Messi continuing in our shirt for his long and great career.

"He's a club player and legends don't disappear because they are history of a club forever.

"I think it's essential that Messi doesn't just end his playing days here, but that he continues being a key figure at Barcelona even after hanging up his boots."