Amid Lionel Messi return rumours, the nine demands the Argentine international made to stay has been leaked.
Before he agreed to an extension with Barcelona, Lionel Messi reportedly set nine requests that had to be met.
Due to financial difficulties, the 35-year-old abruptly left Barcelona in 2021, shocking the footballing world.
He very almost left in 2020 when both parties couldn’t agree on contract terms. Due to that setback, Messi decided not to sign a contract extension and left a year later for Paris Saint-Germain.
According to El Mundo, Messi ranked each of the nine demands as important, and Josep Bartomeu, the president at the time, rejected two of them.
So, exactly what did Messi ask for?
1. Three-year contract extension
Since the drop off might be significant, most clubs typically offer players over 30 a one-year extension. But we’re talking about Lionel Messi here. He intended to make a long-term commitment at the age of 33.
2. A personal box for the use of the family of Luis Suarez
Since Suarez joined Barcelona in 2014, Messi and Suarez have become friends, and the former wanted to take care of the latter forward. He desired a personal box at Camp Nou that he and Suarez’s family could use whenever they wished.
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3. Renewal bonus of €10 million
Barcelona refused to convene during the first term. Due to their financial situation, they were unable to pay Messi what he believed he was due. In that area, only PSG starlet Kylian Mbappe has received payment for a renewal.
4. Removal of the “release clause”
Although pleased to commit, Messi sought contract flexibility. He requested a reduction of his €700 million release clause to just €10,000. This implies that he was free to move whenever and wherever he pleased. Barcelona refused to accept the second term.
5. Interest-bearing repayment of wage reductions
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic saw a pay decrease for every Barcelona player. Frenkie de Jong is fully aware of that. Messi was one of them and demanded his entire salary back along with 3% interest.
6. A private aircraft over Christmas
The Argentinean player wanted to find a method to get back to his country with his family for the holidays.
7. Increased pay with tax
Should the Spanish government decide to increase taxes, Messi wanted his net wage to stay the same.
8. Personal assistant continuity
During his final years in Catalonia, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner had a personal assistant named Pepe Costa who was employed by Barcelona. During the pandemic, Costa’s job security was in question, but Messi urged he stay on.
9. A bonus for his brother
The last demand was a commission for Rodrigo Messi, his brother. Barcelona agreed to this, why? Ansu Fati, a young prodigy, was being represented by Rodrigo at the moment, and he was aware that negotiations would soon begin. In essence, it was doing two transactions.
