Lionel Messi

2 Lionel Messi – $130 million.

Lionel Messi kept the world on tenterhooks last year with his failed attempt to leave Barcelona, a melodrama later punctuated by a leaked contract that showed the cash-strapped club is paying him far more than previously thought. Messi pads that astronomical salary with sponsorships including a lifetime deal with Adidas, as well as a clothing line designed by Ginny Hilfiger, sister of Tommy Hilfiger. Last month, Messi sent signed jerseys to Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac to help secure 50,000 Covid-19 vaccines ahead of the Copa América soccer tournament.

Details of Lionel Messi’s current Barcelona contract leaked

According to Spanish publication El Mundo, the total value of Lionel Messi’s Barcelona contract is €555,237,619 (More than R10-billion).

Lionel Messi

2 Lionel Messi – $130 million.

Lionel Messi kept the world on tenterhooks last year with his failed attempt to leave Barcelona, a melodrama later punctuated by a leaked contract that showed the cash-strapped club is paying him far more than previously thought. Messi pads that astronomical salary with sponsorships including a lifetime deal with Adidas, as well as a clothing line designed by Ginny Hilfiger, sister of Tommy Hilfiger. Last month, Messi sent signed jerseys to Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac to help secure 50,000 Covid-19 vaccines ahead of the Copa América soccer tournament.

Spanish newspapers have reportedly obtained a leaked copy of Lionel Messi’s current Barcelona contract.

The leaked contract was signed in November 2017 and runs until 30 June 2021.

barca vs liverpool 2019
Lionel Messi celebrates with Luis Suarez after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Camp Nou. Photo: LLUIS GENE / AFP)

Messi’s Barcelona contract worth €555,237,619

Champions League team news
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring. Photo: Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images

According to Spanish publication El Mundo, the total value of the contract is €555,237,619 (More than R10-billion).

The contract is said to be worth €138 million per season, with a renewal bonus of €115 million and a loyalty clause of nearly €78 million.

Messi created a storm in the footballing universe when he declared his intent to leave Barcelona last year. The Argentine is free to talk to clubs with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Lionel Messi Barcelona
Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi shoots during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao at La Cartuja stadium in Seville on January 17, 2021. CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP
Messi
Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts at the end of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final football match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on August 14, 2020. (Photo by Rafael Marchante / POOL / AFP)

He marked his return from suspension with a goal in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday as Barcelona survived a scare against Rayo Vallecano. Messi tapped in Antoine Griezmann’s pass to equalise before sending Jordi Alba through with a wonderful pass, with Frenkie de Jong at the back post to tap in and seal a 2-1 victory.

Messi had sat out the previous two games suspended after being sent off in the defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup Final but on return looked refreshed and made the difference yet again for Barca.

Lionel Messi
SEVILLE, SPAIN – JANUARY 17: Lionel Messi of Barcelona warms up ahead of the Supercopa de Espana Final match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club at Estadio de La Cartuja on January 17, 2021 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

In his time at Barcelona, Messi has helped the club win La Liga ten times, the Copa del Rey six times, the Champions League four times and the Fifa Club World Cup three times. His achievements at the club have also been the basis for his six Fifa Ballon d’Or awards.