Barcelona Set To Pay Messi €39M Next July Even If He Leaves

Spanish daily El Mundo have published more details relating to the big money contract signed by FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi in November 2017. 

On Sunday, the newspaper revealed the details of the net salary over the term which topped 555 million euro, Monday’s revelations focus on the lump sum payment of 39 million euro that the Argentine will receive next July as a loyalty payment. The club captain will pocket this sum of money irrespective of his decision to remain with the Camp Nou outfit or decide to pursue his career with another football club.

This clause will be triggered exactly two weeks upon the export of his current deal with Barça on 30 June (2021)

The reaction from El Mundo’s revelations in Sunday’s newspaper was non-stop throughout the day  with the likes of LaLiga’s Javier Tebas defending the Catalan club who claimed that the Argentine’s salary was based on the amount of income that the Rosario born player generates for the LaLiga side.

“The delicate financial situation of Barcelona and is not Messi’s fault but rather the devastating effects of COVID. Without a pandemic, the revenue generated by the best player in history offset that cost. Some media are not treating this issue fairly.” tweeted the executive

Barça head coach Ronald Koeman was also asked for his view on the matter after the 2-1 win over Athletic and the Dutchman was clearly annoyed stating: “I don’t understand why people are saying that Messi has been instrumental in Barça’s financial problems. I don’t get it. If this has been an internal leak, then they will have no future at this football club. Forget about the contract and forget this nonsense. We need to appreciate what Messi has done for Barça. Over the years, he has been pivotal in makinging this club bigger”.