Barcelona's secret financial report that backs Lionel Messi's signing

FC Barcelona have carried out an economic report to find out the impact that Lionel Messi's return would have on the club. And the result of this internal study, to which SPORT has had access, has surprised even those in charge of the club. 

The return of the Argentinian would mean a significant economic injection for Barcelona, as seeing Messi wearing the Barça shirt translates into an annual income of 230 million euros. Barça are rubbing their hands together dreaming of the possibility of Messi's return as the benefits are both financial and sporting.

Xavi Hernandez himself is the one who is pushing hardest to make his return possible because he understands that, despite his age, few players today can guarantee as much offensive potential as Leo, who will be 36 this summer. Since the start of this season, the Argentine has averaged more goals and assists than Haaland or Mbappé. And Xavi is taking that into account.

Numbers in detail

The economic report details several interesting aspects that serve to reveal the dimension of the Argentine. Barça consider that Messi's arrival would serve to bring in new sponsors who would bring in around 150 million euros. It seems like a lot of money but you only have to compare the impact Messi had when he arrived at PSG, a club that managed to considerably increase its income to become the club that generated the most money last season. It grew by 13% in sponsors and 60% in shirt sales, according to a published study.

Another aspect that this report takes into account is that Messi's presence alone at Barcelona would mean a considerable improvement in terms of ticketing. And it should be remembered that in Barça's first season without Messi there was a notable drop in the number of spectators at Camp Nou, a record that has changed considerably in the current season, with an average of 83,049 spectators with the arrival of Lewandowski and the improvement of the team.

Motivation for Montjuïc

Barça will go to Montjuïc for their home games next season and the return of Messi could be an incentive for the fans. The profit could be 80 million.

Barcelona, in this study to which SPORT has had access, also analyses the net benefit to the club taking into account a hypothetical salary of the player (around 25 million euros gross), the increase in investment that the club must make to obtain greater benefits and other agreements that could occur: The study indicates that Barcelona would earn 100 million euros net. 

An amount that advises the signing of the Argentinian who, let's remember, would arrive as a free agent with his PSG deal expiring.