When it comes to modern day football, there’s very little that brings out opinions quite as vociferously as a footballer signing a new contract, especially when details of the size of the deal are leaked. However, in the case of Lionel Messi, it’s fair to say everyone’s just sort of shrugged their shoulders and said, ‘yeah, probably worth it, him’.
And while your dad might go spare at the sums Messi will be raking in and demand that soldiers are paid the same or whatever, it’s hard to argue with Barcelona going to such lengths to retaining their greatest player of all time, who has led them to enough trophies over the past decade to fill an entire wing of a museum.
There is also an option for Messi to remain at Barca for another year past 2021 and the fees linked with the deal are jaw dropping.
First of all, Messi will pocket a reported €70m a year in wages, or €1.2 million-a-week or €95,880 a day (after tax) or €3,995 an hour (after tax) with exclusive image rights and a €100 million signing on fee.