The numbers behind Lionel Messi's contract renewal
He will take a 50 per cent pay cut to help out Barca going forward
Barcelona and Lionel Messi have reached the basis of a deal for him to stay at Camp Nou for another five years, at roughly a 50 per cent pay cut. He will have a 350m euro release clause.
Messi has understood the economic needs of the club and president Joan Laporta. Leo making this step is important because other heavyweights may also follow his lead.
Messi will be a Barcelona player until just before his 39th birthday if he stays the length of this new deal.
His renewal was key for Laporta to settle and now he can get to work on lessening the salary load so that Messi and the other players can be registered.
The new contract will likely be signed towards the end of July. Messi is on holiday post-Copa America at the moment.
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