The recent leak of Lionel Messi’s contract has shed light on the true cost to Barcelona, amounting to a staggering €555 million (£492 million) by the time his current deal expires this summer. Messi had signed a four-year agreement back in 2017, allowing him to potentially leave Barcelona as a free agent when he turns 33.
El Mundo, the publication responsible for unveiling these contract details, aptly titled their report as Barcelona’s impending ruin. They revealed that the significant sum includes a combination of fixed salary, image rights, variables, and the substantial taxes Barcelona has had to pay throughout the duration of Messi’s contract. The total amount is estimated to be €555,237,619.
This revelation has undoubtedly raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about the financial implications for Barcelona as they face the potential departure of their star player. Messi’s contractual costs have proven to be astronomical and will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the club’s future financial planning.
Barcelona is facing a staggering financial burden due to Lionel Messi’s contract, which amounts to a massive £492m.
The financial struggles of Barcelona have recently been exposed by the Spanish newspaper, El Mundo. According to the leaked contract, Messi is set to receive a substantial gross salary of €138m (£122m) per season. In addition to this, he received a renewal fee of €115m (£102m) and is expected to receive an annual loyalty bonus of €79m (£69m) for staying with the club. El Mundo’s report reveals that Messi still has five months remaining on his current contract and has earned an astonishing £452m (€511m) thus far.
El Mundo further examined both Messi’s regular contract and image rights, breaking down the various factors that have contributed to his earnings since the 2017-18 season. As part of his existing deal, Messi received an additional £616,172 (€695,748) for winning FIFA’s Best Player award in the 2018-19 campaign. Furthermore, if Barcelona secures victory in the Champions League, Messi is guaranteed a staggering £3.1m (€3.5m) – a feat the club has not accomplished since 2015.
There are several other variables in Messi’s contract, including an additional £1.75m (€1.9m) if he plays in at least 60% of games. He will also receive extra bonuses for each stage of the knockout rounds in the Champions League, as well as for winning LaLiga and the Copa del Rey.
Last season, Barcelona’s and Messi’s disappointing performance resulted in the club not having to pay many of the variables outlined in his contract. Additionally, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Messi, along with the rest of Barcelona’s squad, agreed to a 70% reduction in salary.
On Sunday, El Mundo released the contract of the player (left) to the public, a move that is expected to greatly upset Messi’s team.
Former Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu and Lionel Messi exchanged a friendly handshake during the signing of their contract agreement in 2016.
Out of the list of 10 factors mentioned, only one was fulfilled, which occurred when the Catalan club reached the round of 16 in the Champions League, resulting in Messi earning an impressive £985,966 (€1.1m).
Incredibly, Messi’s contract now holds the title for the largest in sports history, surpassing notable deals such as Patrick Mahomes’ £402m 10-year agreement with the Kansas City Chiefs and Canelo Alvarez’s £292m five-fight deal with DAZN.
The full details of Messi’s contract, with sensitive information concealed, were featured prominently in a Spanish newspaper today.
Unsurprisingly, this leak has greatly angered Messi’s team, who are now considering taking legal action against El Mundo, as reported by RAC1.
After the leak was publicized, Barcelona expressed their regret over the publication of the confidential document and reaffirmed their support for Messi.
Their official statement conveyed their disappointment, stating: “Given the information disclosed today in El Mundo newspaper regarding the professional contract signed between FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi, the club laments its publication as it is a private document governed by principles of confidentiality between the parties involved.”
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the people of Catalonia find themselves in a financial crisis, prompting them to seek assistance from banks. However, FC Barcelona vehemently denies any involvement or responsibility for the release of a leaked document. The club is prepared to take legal action against El Mundo, the newspaper responsible for the publication, to protect itself from potential damages caused by this incident.
In light of this situation, FC Barcelona wants to express its unwavering support for Lionel Messi, specifically addressing any attempts to tarnish his reputation or undermine his relationship with the club. They acknowledge his immense contribution as he dedicated himself to becoming the best player in the world and leaving an indelible mark in football history.
Regrettably, this leak adds to the mounting instability already plaguing Barcelona, particularly as they navigate towards their forthcoming elections. Originally scheduled for last week, the elections have been postponed until March 7 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The recent release of the club’s financial report for the 2019-20 period has revealed a staggering gross debt of €1.2 billion (£1 billion).
The football club has made an attempt to obtain a loan amounting to €100m, which would be dependent on the eventual sale of their star players. The current debt, which includes a short-term debt of €720m, needs to be settled by June 30, with approximately €266m owed to multiple banks and financial institutions. Goldman Sachs, an important financial partner involved in the €800m renovation of the Nou Camp, is among the creditors. To avoid the need for altering the club’s structure and permitting private investors to provide financial support in exchange for some control, Barcelona must refinance their debts. Additionally, recent reports from the Catalan newspaper El Periodico suggest that the club is also seeking an additional loan of €100m linked to future player sales.
