Picture Credit: AP
Star Argentina footballer Lionel Messi is all set to extend his stay at Barcelona signing a brand new five-year deal. Moreover, it is being learned that the star forward is set to take a wage cut as reported by a leading Spanish daily on Wednesday.
Messi, who is the club's all-time top scorer and has made the most appearances for them in their history, had in all technicality ended his 21-year long association with the club last month and currently happens to be a free agent after his previous contract got expired.
However, ever since Joan Laporta took over as the President of the La Liga side, the club has been trying to reduce their wage bill so that they can keep the star player within La Liga's financial control rules.
Barcelona have a debt of over 1 billion euros
It is worth highlighting that La Liga chief Javier Tebas stated last week that Barcelona, who have a total debt of over 1 billion euros, would also have to abide by the rules and they couldn't get away with it.
According to a newspaper report carried by El Mundo in January, Messi's last signed contract in 2017 was in fact the most lucrative contract in the history of professional sports. The Catalan giants have been trying to rebuild the squad and make it ready for a time when its ageing superstar won't be around.
Messi ends international trophy drought
The 34-year-old recently won his first major international trophy with Argentina after his side defeated Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America 2021 final. Subsequently, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner was elected as the tournament's best player along with his former Barca teammate Neymar, after finishing as the competition's leading top-scorer with four goals and also making maximum assists- as many as five.