Published 17:46 IST, January 31st 2021
Barcelona initiate legal action against Spanish daily for leaking Messi's contract details
Barcelona has categorically denied any responsibility for the publication of the document and has also expressed its absolute support for Lionel Messi.
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Hours after sensational report by Spanish publication which revealed contract details between FC Barcelona and its star player Lionel Messi, La Liga club has decided to initiate legal action against report and its publishers. Spanish daily - El Mundo - had revealed in a report claiming that Messi's most recent contract with Barcelona is worth up to 555 million Euros. Reacting to report, Barcelona has categorically denied any responsibility for publication of document and has also expressed its absolute support for Lionel Messi.
Early on Sunday morning, Spanish daily El Mundo dropped sensational report of Messi's 4-year contract which included a signing-on bonus of €115,225,000 and a humungous loyalty bonus of €77,929,955. Citing access to contract signed by six-time Ballon d'Or winner, Spanish daily has claimed that Messi's contract with Barcelona is most expensive deal ever given to an athlete. Moreover, Spanish daily also detailed on Messi's crusade in Spain and how he helped Barcelona clinch numerous titles.
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Responding to leak, Barcelona issued a press release on Sunday evening calling report an attempt to discredit Messi's im and dam his relationship with club.
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"In view of information published today in newspaper El Mundo, in relation to professional contract signed between FC Barcelona and player Lionel Messi, club regrets its publication given that it is a private document governed by principle of confidentiality between parties," FCB press release reads.
"FC Barcelona categorically denies any responsibility for publication of this document, and will take appropriate legal action against newspaper El Mundo, for any dam that may be caused as a result of this publication," it added.
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report comes in face of Barcelona's troubles as club tries to battle COVID-19 pandemic induced debt. Barcelona is being led by a caretaker board after infamous resignation of President Josep Bartomeu. New presidential elections are scheduled for March 7.
Messi-Barca saga
While Lionel Messi has spent his entire career at Barcelona helping club lift four Champions Leagues and 10 La Liga titles, scoring a record-breaking 644 goals, Argentine handed in a formal transfer request in August of 2020 and looked for a way out. However, club quickly blocked off any potential Messi transfer citing contractual obligations forcing Messi to backtrack and confirm his commitment for Catalan giants for ir 2020-21 campaign.
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Since n, transfer rumours revolving around 33-year-old's new club have started to circulate heavily as player is in final six months of his contract with Barcelona. Clubs like Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are expected to lead signing race for Messi, on a free transfer. Manchester City are also expected to make a move to reunite Messi with former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who is at helm of English side. Messi has remained silent and t shared any details about his move over during Christmas period with a move across to America also looked upon as a great idea for Argentine.
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17:46 IST, January 31st 2021