The story seemed well and truly over between Messi and FC Barcelona. Party clash with the old management, which he had pushed for the departure, the Argentinian is free of any contract since July 1. In an ambitious transfer window, the Catalan club’s priority was to reach an agreement to keep it and save face. The financial difficulties were however numerous, and certain sources evoked the impossibility of registering Memphis Depay and Sergio Agüero in the workforce without going beyond the framework to play La Liga.
The star reportedly agreed to cut his salary by 50%
But according to several Catalan media (Sport, Mundo Deportivo), Messi and FCB have finally found common ground. The Argentine star, winner of the Copa America, has agreed to cut his salary by 50% so that Barça can get into the nails. This remuneration would be spread over a five-year contract, ie until 2026, when Messi will be… 39 years old! In reality, it could be a montage to guarantee him to receive the full sum of his salary while negotiating a departure after the World Cup in Qatar.
The Argentine recently expressed the wish to end his career in MLS, possibly at Inter Miami, the franchise of David Beckham. The formalization of his extension to Barça should take place at the end of the month, or even at the end of the week if the negotiations on the last details are progressing well.