Manu Fernandez / Associated Press
FC Barcelona plans to start a “lawsuit” against the Spanish newspaper The world after leaking details of the € 555 million ($ 673 million) contract that Lionel Messi signed in 2017.
The club released the following statement on its website:
“In view of the information published today in … El Mundo, regarding the professional contract signed between FC Barcelona and the player Lionel Messi, the club regrets its publication because it is a private document governed by the principle of confidentiality between the parties.
“FC Barcelona categorically denies any responsibility for the publication of this document and will take the appropriate legal measures against the newspaper El Mundo, for any damage that may be caused as a result of this publication.
“FC Barcelona expresses its absolute support for Lionel Messi, especially in the face of any attempt to discredit his image and damage his relationship with the entity where he worked to become the best player in the world and in the history of football.“
Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens ESPN reported that Messi also plans to take legal action against the publication. The The € 555 million ($ 673.6 million) contract is considered the most profitable in the history of professional sport.
According to the ESPN report, there are only four copies of the contract, and the club plans to take legal action against anyone who was part of the leak for The world.
The maximum value of the contract depended on goals that Messi did not reach, but the scope of the deal is surprising – especially in the light Barcelona’s financial problems.
Messi tried to leave Barcelona last summer and it seems likely that he will leave the club when his contract expires on 30 June.