KEY POINTS

  • There have been rumors that all is not well between Messi and Barca management
  • Barca reportedly are preparing a huge offer for Messi
  • Messi is pushing Barca to re-sign Brazilian striker Neymar

Lionel Messi reportedly has been offered a mind-boggling salary of $1,045K-a-week on renewing his contract at FC Barcelona.

Messi’s contract is set to expire at the end of 2020-21 season and the Argentine will be asked to sign on the new terms that are understood to be valid at least until 2023, by which he’ll be 35 years old.

The ongoing season has been a roller-coaster ride for Barca, who recently came out of a losing streak. During the tough time, they also saw the sacking of Ernesto Valverde, who was replaced by their current head coach, Quique Setién. Even Messi recorded his worst run in as many as six years when he failed to score in four or five consecutive matches for Barca.

Messi’s contract talks have been underway for quite a while at Nou Camp amid rumors that the end of this season could see the departure of Messi from Barca. Things took an ugly turn in the club when Messi got into a feud with Barcelona’s sporting director Eric Abidal over a few remarks the latter made about the team during an interview with a Spanish media house.

Despite all the issues, Barca president recently confirmed that the club will ensure their best player remains with them and finalizing his contract will be their priority in the upcoming summer.

In other news reports, Messi has been pushing for Neymar’s return to Nou Camp. Spanish newspaper El Confidencia claims that Messi has told his closest friends that he wants Barcelona to re-sign the Brazilian. It is believed that the Catalans had tried to re-sign Neymar last season but they were forced to withdraw after PSG quoted a humongous transfer fee for the Brazilian forward.

The report further has stated that while Messi is not happy in Barcelona, the only thing that could motivate him to sign a new three-year contract is reuniting with Neymar in Barca.

Eibar goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic stopped Lionel Messi once, but the Barcelona striker then scored his second goal of the season
Lionel Messi AFP / ANDER GILLENEA

Currently, all the top soccer leagues have been suspended due to the outbreak of deadly coronavirus. Messi and the other Barca players are undergoing self- quarantine and there is no clarity yet on when they are expected to resume training.