Lionel Messi to sue newspaper that published staggering details of his contract

Messi's 4-year contract is reportedly worth €555,237,619

Lionel Messi is reportedly preparing to file a lawsuit against Spanish newspaper El Mundo after they published staggering details of his contract with FC Barcelona. The report claims the entire four year contract is worth €555,237,619, meaning he earns €138 million per season before add-ons. It also claims he received €115,225,000 as a 'renewal fee' simply for signing the contract and €77,929,955 as a loyalty bonus, despite trying to leave the club last summer. Is it any wonder Barcelona are haemorrhaging money? https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1355807811708575745 The report has angered Messi's camp, who now plan to sue El Mundo, according to Catalan news outlet RAC1. https://twitter.com/FCBRAC1/status/1355829479827009536 Messi's contract has a confidentiality clause, and the player also aims to identify the culprit within Barcelona guilty of leaking the details to El Mundo. RAC claim only five people within the club could have had access to see his contract. FC Barcelona have denied any responsibility in the publication of Messi's contract details. In a statement posted on their website on Sunday morning, the club said: "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. 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. "FC Barcelona expresses its absolute support for Lionel Messi, especially in the face of any attempt to discredit his image, and to damage his relationship with the entity where he has worked to become the best player in the world and in football history."