Today in the Spanish media appeared reports that Lionel Messi, who allegedly signed a new contract with "Barcelona" for the next five years, will receive up to 350 million euros. Goal.com journalist Ignasi Oliva Gispertas declares that this is untrue.
The Argentine star finished long discussions last week about leaving "Barça" and linked his future with the club until 2021, with his release clause now reaching 700 million euros.
The newspaper "El Mundo" reported that the striker demanded an additional payment of 100 million euros for his signature, even though he would receive 70% more than Cristiano Ronaldo without it.
However, a close source to Messi revealed that after annual taxes, he will "only" earn about 22 million euros, which is almost the same as what the forward received under his old contract. He did not receive the 100 million either.
It is also written that the main reason for the delay in signing the contract was not the demands of the five-time world's best footballer but the Catalonia independence referendum.
Amidst all the speculations before signing the contract, Messi was linked to the wealthy clubs "Manchester City" and "Paris Saint-Germain."
