Argentina and Copa America player of the tournament Lionel Messi has agreed to remain at Barcelona on a deal until 2026, which means he will now reduce his wages to half of his previous salary. The announcement was made recently by the president of the club Barcelona.
34-year-old Lionel Messi was a free agent after his contract that reportedly paid him £123m a season expired on 30 June. He is on holiday after winning the Copa America for the first time in his entire career, and the final details of the contract are yet to be finalised.
Re-signing Messi was the principal summer target of new chairman Joan Laporta, and it is a good thing he was able to accomplish that goal for Barcelona. The club is looking at a swap deal involving forward Antoine Griezmann and Liverpool Atletico Madrid target Saul Niguez, with the idea of reducing the wage bill as they are suffering financially.
Fringe players such as Junior Firpo, Jean-Clair Todibo and Carles Alena have already been sold to free up the budget, but other big-name departures will also need to take place. Messi had been linked with moves to Paris St-Germain and Manchester City, but he has decided to remain at Barcelona.
Messi is Barcelona’s record scorer with 672 goals and has won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, seven Copa del Reys, and claiming the Ballon d’Or on a record on six occasions.