It was 2017 when FC Barcelona stalwart Lionel Messi signed his last contract with the club. Now after four years, that very deal has become the talking point of every football head on the planet, as it could very well be the biggest deal signed by a sportsperson of all time!
Lionel Messi’s Barcelona deal details leaked: a contract worth over €555 million
The jaw-dropping revelation appears according to a report made by Spanish newspaper El Mundo, which recently claimed that it acquired the details of Messi’s 2017 deal with Barcelona.
As per El Mundo’s claim, including all the variables, ‘renewal fee’ and loyalty bonus into the calculation, the Catalan skipper could land upwards of €138 million each season, totalling to a whopping €555,237,619 ($673,919,105) across all four seasons- highest ever recorded deal in the history of sports.
Soon after Mundo’s report went viral, the club itself issued an official statement, where it “categorically denied” any responsibility about the details of the contract and has threatened legal action against the newspaper, as well as making it clear that the club is backing Messi through and through.
“In view of the information published today in the newspaper El Mundo, in relation to the professional contract signed between FC Barcelona and the player Lionel Messi, the club regrets its publication given that it is a private document governed by the principle of confidentiality between the parties.”
“FC Barcelona categorically denies any responsibility for the publication of this document, and will take appropriate legal action against the newspaper El Mundo, for any damage that may be caused as a result of this publication.”
“FC Barcelona expresses its absolute support for Lionel Messi, especially in the face of any attempt to discredit his image, and to damage his relationship with the entity where he has worked to become the best player in the world and in football history,” the statement from Barcelona read.
In the meantime, another Spanish news outlet Don Balon has claimed that Lionel Messi has not taken the leaking of his contract details in a good light.
Recently, the Argentine had warned that he would leave Camp Nou in case any further leaks regarding his deal lays an impact either on him or his family and all the memories of the player finalising his leave from the club last year is still a fresh memory for the fans.
Now with El Mundo’s claim, the unwished-for situation may just become inevitable- Messi’s departure from Barcelona.
Caught Offside informed that Messi is going to reveal his intentions in the next few days- if he would choose to stay at his boyhood club or depart at the end of the ongoing season.
With 11 wins from 19 games, Barcelona are currently fourth in the La Liga table and will face Athletic Club in just a matter of hours and a win will tie them with Real Madrid, who are trailing behind table toppers Atletico Madrid, at 40 points.
