Following his hat-trick in El Clásico last week, Lionel Messi may be on his way to dethroning Cristiano Ronaldo to become the world's highest paid footballer with his new Barcelona contract.
After his stellar performance at the El Clásico last week, one thing is sure! Barcelona will do anything and everything to ensure Lionel Messi's long-term future is secure at the Nou Camp before he heads off to play for Argentina in the World Cup. Rumors have it that the renewal of Messi's contract with the club may make him the world's highest paid footballer, dethroning Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently holds that title.
According to a Daily Mail report, Messi wants to be paid more than Ronaldo and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and is thought to be demanding a basic wage in excess of $555,000 (£335,000) a week, while also keeping 100 per cent of his image rights.
"We all want Messi to be the best-paid player in the world and that is what we are working on," said club president Josep Maria Bartomeu Bartomeu. "Right now we are concentrating on the competitions we are in but it will happen soon. Nobody here wants to sell Messi. You cannot sell Leo. He arrived here when he was 13 and he is one of ours."
Barcelona has already made one offer to the 26-year-old Argentinean forward this season, but it was rejected. Reports have it that the offer included ending his entitlement to 100 per cent of his image rights. Father and agent Jorge Messi wasn't too pleased with the deal and hence, turned it down. The new deal is expected to be presented to Messi and his father before the April 16 Copa del Rey final. It will include another year to the player's commitment, taking him to 2019 and will get him beyond Ronaldo's estimated $29 million (£17.5m) net deal. At the moment, Messi is reported to be earning $14.46 million a year net with Barcelona, according to The Telegraph.
Messi's goals in last week's match make him the first Barcelona player ever to score a hat-trick in Real Madrid's stadium.
