Lionel Messi is the best player in the world and the new record holder for goals in a single year. Messi also is a member of Barcelona for a bit longer after signing a two-year extension with the Spanish club.

The 25-year-old has had a record-setting year, breaking Gerd Mueller's all-time mark of 85 goals scored in a calendar year by putting in 90 so far in 2012. He netted two goals against Real Betis on Dec. 9 to set the record.

Messi's contract was set to finish June 30, 2016 and will now extend to June 30, 2018, Barcelona said in a statement, according to ESPN Soccernet.

Both Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol also agreed to new deals to stay with the team through 2016.

"This news means that FC Barcelona has secured its ties with three of its most important players," the statement said, adding that the contracts would be signed "over the course of the next few weeks."

During Spanish La Liga play this season Messi has been stellar, scoring a league-high 25 goals and recording five assists in 16 games. He scored his 22nd double of the year and his sixth in six games on Sunday when Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid 4-1. Barcelona currently holds a nine point lead in La Liga over Atletico.

"Messi is the best player in the world. I am just pleased he is Argentine," said Atletico coach Diego Simeone after the match to The Telegraph.

The club has been fantastic in league play this season and had a Spanish-league record start of 15 victories in 16 matches, according to ESPN.com. Barcelona has also won four of six Champions League contests this year, including a 3-0 victory over Spartak Moscow and is still in contention for Copa del Rey.

The club opened league play with a 5-1 victory over Real Sociedad and then won five straight matches before playing to a 2-2 tie with Real Madrid. The exciting match featured two goals each from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, including the game-tying goal from the Real superstar.

Barcelona has had four shutouts in La Liga play this season, including a 4-0 victory over Levante on Nov. 25 and has gone 8-0-0 on the road and 7-1-0 at home. The club has a plus-36 goal differential, which is by far the best in the league.

Messi has won numerous awards already this season, including his second Golden Boot award, which is given to the player who has scored the most goals in the European leagues. He scored a Spanish-league record 50 goals with Barcelona two years after scoring 34 goals to win his first Golden Boot and last month he was voted as the top player in La Liga this season.

He became the fourth football player to win three Ballons d'Or after taking home the award last year and won the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award for the 2010-11 season. He is a finalist for the FIFA World Player of the Year, which he took home in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Messi is nominated for the award along with Cristiano Ronaldo and team-mate Andres Iniesta.

Earlier this year Messi also became the all-time top scorer at Barcelona and will be 31-years-old when the new contract runs out. Barcelona was hoping to get a new deal done to keep Messi in Spain after his fantastic 2012 calendar year.

Midfielder Xavi Hernandez was signed through 2014, but will now be under club control for two more years. He has three goals in 16 appearances in La Liga play this season and has added three assists on 23 shots. During this 2012-13 season, he has netted five total gails with esigh assists in 32 matches started.

Defender Carles Puyol's contract ran through the 2012-13 season, but he will now stay with the cliub for three more years. The 34-year-old has been dealing with an elbow injury, but recently returned to action for the team. Puyol has netted one goal on two shots in seven games this season in La Liga play and has started 10 games overall this year between the club and the national team. He has 18 career goals.

According to the statement, all the players will sign their contracts "in the coming weeks".

"Over the course of the next few weeks, Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez and Leo Messi will all be signing their respective new contracts," Barcelona said.

Barcelona will next face Real Valladolid in La Liga play before taking on Cordoba on Jan. 10 in the Copa del Rey Round of 16.