Lionel Messi could become highest paid player in the world with €250m contract renewal

Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Osasuna at the Camp Nou stadium

Barcelona’s striking sensation, Lionel Messi, is currently negotiating a contract renewal with the club worth a staggering €250 million, which could make him the highest paid player in the world.

In the process, the Argentine magician has also pledged his allegiance to his boyhood club, despite apparent interest from French giants PSG and Premier League billionaires Manchester City.

A Barcelona representative has confirmed that Messi wishes to remain in Spain until the end of his career.

“Leo has said in his own words that he wants to retire at Barca,” said Manel Arroyo, Barcelona’s vice president of communications.

Representatives of the 26-year old are pushing for €25 million on a five-year contract, which will become his seventh contract extension in 9 years.

However, the Catalans are reluctant on such an expensive payday and rumors are rife that the club are offering much lesser than what Messi’s camp are hoping for.

The forward’s representatives are using Neymar’s transfer to their advantage, who is rumored to be earning €18 to €20 million per year through a variety of methods, making the Brazilian the highest-paid player in the squad.

Although the goal scoring machine is considered the best player in the world, and arguably more valuable to the club than Neymar, he is said to be earning only €16m per year, which has now put Messi’s camp on the front foot to effect a sharp increase in his salary.

Also, Lionel Messi’s latest accomplishment of becoming the club’s highest ever scorer with 371, has earned them more leverage.

Despite these complications, both parties are certain of arriving at an amicable settlement, and a contract announcement is in the offing.