Over the course of Lionel Messi’s illustrious career, it has always been a given that the FC Barcelona star has been well rewarded for his talents.
There has never been a better time to be possibly the greatest player in history at one of the richest clubs in the world. You can assume that Messi was paid according to the top athletes in the world, such as Patrick Mahomes, LeBron James and Mike Trout.
Thanks to a leak via the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, we now know that you would be wrong if you accepted it. Very wrong.
In fact, Messi’s reported revenue blows every known athlete’s salary out of the water, even the half-billion-dollar contract that Mahomes got last year, and it is widely reported that this is a record in the sports industry.
Lionel Messi’s contract is a world shaker
Here are the numbers of the contract that Messi signed in 2017 via Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano: € 555 237 619 over four years, with an annual salary of € 138 million, including variables, a renewal fee of € 115 million and ‘ a loyalty of € 77 million bonus.
With five months left on the deal, Messi already earns 511 million euros.
El Mundo today, what a bomb. Leo Messi’s contract with Barcelona was announced on the front page @elmundoes
– contract € 555 237 619 [4 years].
– € 138 million per fixed season + variables.
– € 115 225 000 as ‘renewal fee’ only for acceptance of the contract.
– loyalty bonus of € 77,929,955. pic.twitter.com/FK3I34hJta
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) 31 January 2021
The numbers add up to $ 674 million for the entire contract, $ 167 million per year, $ 139 million renewal fee and a $ 94.6 million loyalty bonus in 2020 dollars.
Compare that to Mahomes’ 10-year, $ 503 million deal (actually $ 450 million due to creative accounting) or Mike Trout’s 12-year contract, $ 420 million, and you’ll see that the highest reaches of European football blows Americans away. sports salaries. Messi’s contract is higher than the highest reach of the largest contract recorded only in the course of four years. The total money during the contract is approximately $ 320.55 per minute.
In fact, Messi’s annual revenue of $ 167 million is higher than the combined salaries of Trout, LeBron James, Tom Brady and Connor McDavid, according to Spotrac’s annual cash figures.
Just in his income from Barcelona, it seems likely that Messi is already a billionaire. Even more incredible is that a few months ago, Messi tried to get out of this contract and sought a club to pay a $ 828 million release clause.
Barcelona’s finances are bad
Why do we only find out about Messi’s salary now?
It may have something to do with where Barcelona are currently financially, and the fact that Messi is planning to leave the club in a few months.
Barcelona’s decline on the world stage coincided with a sudden accumulation of debt amid the acquisition of players and the financial crisis of the COVID-19 hitting the sports world. According to ESPN, Barcelona’s total debt is currently € 1.173 billion, with a net debt of € 488 million, with players’ expenses reportedly 74 percent.
It does not differ much from what many other football giants are currently going through (Real Madrid’s debt apparently amounts to € 901 million), but it is still amazing. It therefore makes sense why Messi’s salary came out of nowhere, with Barcelona on the verge of a painful period of austerity.
Messi’s brilliance has produced millions, perhaps billions, for Barcelona over the years. Barcelona signed him to the deal for a reason; he has been one of the most valuable sports products on earth for a decade. The club is now best served by reminding its fans of what it costs.
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