The $637-million Dollar Man? Report claims Messi is highest paid athelete

Lionel Messi's most recent contract with Barcelona is worth up to 555 million euros ($673 million) over four seasons, the El Mundo newspaper reported on Sunday. The Spanish daily said it had access to the document Messi signed with the Catalan club in 2017, which included fixed incomes and variables that could reach nearly 138 million euros ($167 million) each season.

The newspaper said it is the most expensive contract ever paid to an athlete.Messi would have to pay about half of that amount in taxes in Spain. The report said the 33-year-old player has already secured more than 510 million euros ($619 million) of the total contract.

(Image Credit: AP)