Barca threaten legal action over Messi contract leak

La liga giants Barcelona say they are filing legal action against a Spain based newspaper over the leaked Messi contract.

Spain’s El Mundo newspaper said it had access to the document Messi signed with the Catalan club in 2017, which included fixed incomes and extras that could reach nearly €138m (£122m) each season, which the publication claims is the most expensive contract ever paid to an athlete.

But the club  have denied leaking details of the said contract which is reportedly worth up to €555m (£492m) over four seasons – and have threatened to sue the newspaper responsible for its publication.

Barcelona, who have been led by a caretaker board since president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned in October while facing a no-confidence motion ahead of new presidential elections on March 7, said they support Messi and would take action against the newspaper.

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“In view of the information published today in the newspaper El Mundo, in relation to the professional contract signed between FC Barcelona and the player Lionel Messi, the club regrets its publication given that it is a private document governed by the principle of confidentiality between the parties,” a club statement said.

“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.