The Neymar affair continues to dominate discussions around FC Barcelona, potentially overshadowing other important matters such as the extension of Lionel Messi’s contract.
From the resignation of Sandro Rosell to the club’s indictment, the Neymar affair has had far-reaching consequences, with Tata Martino describing it as an abnormal situation. The exact cost of Neymar’s transfer has been a subject of contention, with the club facing potential tax fraud charges and a hefty payment of over €9 million to the Public Treasury.
Amidst this turmoil, negotiations regarding Lionel Messi’s contract extension have faced uncertainty. While Messi sought an increase in salary, the club was hesitant to meet his demands. Recent developments seemed to suggest a positive outcome for Messi, with a new contract on the horizon, until the Neymar affair disrupted proceedings.
According to reports, Messi will have to wait until after the World Cup to finalize his contract extension. It is speculated that the extension will include two additional seasons, extending until 2020, with a release clause remaining unchanged at €250 million.
Regarding his salary, Barça President Josep Bartomeu previously stated that Messi deserves to be the highest-paid player in the world. However, the resolution of Messi’s contract negotiations now hangs in the balance amidst the ongoing fallout from the Neymar affair.
