When it comes to modern day football, there's very little that brings out opinions quite as vociferously as a footballer signing a new contract, especially when details of the size of the deal are leaked. However, in the case of Lionel Messi, it's fair to say everyone's just sort of shrugged their shoulders and said, 'yeah, probably worth it, him'.
And while your dad might go spare at the sums Messi will be raking in and demand that soldiers are paid the same or whatever, it's hard to argue with Barcelona going to such lengths to retaining their greatest player of all time, who has led them to enough trophies over the past decade to fill an entire wing of a museum.
Barca had somehow managed to get to a stage where the five time Ballon d'Or winner was not far removed from being able to negotiate a free transfer away from the Camp Nou in January. However, club president Josep Bartomeu, despite previous criticisms of his administration, was never likely to let that happen and has now secured the Argentine genius to a monstrous new deal that will keep Messi at the Camp Nou until 2021.
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There is also an option for Messi to remain at Barca for another year past 2021 and the fees linked with the deal are jaw dropping.
First of all, Messi will pocket a reported €70m a year in wages, or €1.2 million-a-week or €95,880 a day (after tax) or €3,995 an hour (after tax) with exclusive image rights and a €100 million signing on fee.
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Messi's stats, success and innumerable broken records back up the money he'll be earning though, with 524 goals in 605 Barca appearances to his name along with eight La Liga titles, five Copa Del Reys, four Champions Leagues and three FIFA Club World Cups.
What do you make of the figures involved in Messi's new deal, though? Is he worth such a massive expenditure or not?
Have your say in the comments section below and on our Facebook page.
(H/T Eurosport)
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football News, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, La Liga
