Barça to take legal action against paper that published costly Messi contract

Barcelona, Spain, Jan 31 (efe-epa).- FC Barcelona on Sunday said it would take legal action against a Spanish newspaper that obtained and published a copy of Lionel Messi’s contract.

The leaked contract showed that Barça had agreed to pay the Argentine superstar 555,237,619 euros ($673,919,105) over four seasons if he met all the conditions of the contract, making it the biggest deal in sporting history.

The paper, El Mundo, claimed the eye-watering contract was a major factor in the club’s recent financial struggles and splashed the article on the front page with the headline: “Messi’s pharaonic contract that is ruining Barça.” The club responded with a statement.

“FC Barcelona categorically denies any responsibility for the publication of this document, and will take appropriate legal action against the newspaper El Mundo, for any damage that may be caused as a result of this publication,” it said.

Messi’s contract is due to expire in June. He unsuccessfully tried to leave Barcelona last summer by triggering a clause that permits him to walk away as a free agent every year but backed down when the club signaled legal action.EFE-EPA

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