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Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar Lionel Messi is one of the highest-paid players in the world, as he reportedly takes home a $41 million annual net salary, including add-ons. His weekly salary stands at over $788,000.
Messi, 35, joined PSG in the summer of 2021 after running down his contract with Barcelona. According to Sporting News, the Argentina icon signed a $41 million-per-season contract with the Parisians, agreeing to remain at the club till June 2023.
The Athletic says that Messi received a whopping $30-million signing bonus, while Forbes adds that PSG also given him a cut of his image rights and merchandise. Combining his wages and massive image rights incentives, Messi takes home nearly $75 million per year, which is around $1.44 million per week.
According to Spanish daily El Mundo, Messi earned even more astronomical wages at Barcelona. The outlet sensationally claimed that the Argentinian signed a $650 million, four-year contract in 2017. Messi reportedly received a base pay of $161 million per season, a one-time $135 million signing bonus and a $91 million-plus loyalty bonus. Due to insufficient room in their wage cap, the Blaugrana failed to renew Messi’s contract in 2021.
In December 2022, shortly after Messi won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina,transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claimed that PSG had reached a verbal agreement to renew the 35-year-old’s contract. Nothing has materialised, though, and Messi is now set to become a free agent in June
According to MARCA, Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal want to sign Messi in the summer. The Saudi Pro League outfit are reportedly prepared to exceed the wages Al-Nassr are paying Cristiano Ronaldo ($215 million) and offer Messi a yearly deal of $234.5 million.
Maxwell explains why PSG should extend Lionel Messi’s contract this summer
Former PSG defender Maxwell has hailed Lionel Messi as the best player in history, claiming that extending the Argentinian's stay should be a no-brainer for the Parisians.
Following PSG’s Champions League elimination, calls have been made for PSG to build a younger team, focusing on Kylian Mbappe instead of Lionel Messi. Maxwell, though, does not find that sensible, adding that Messi’s extension is not even debatable.
Speaking to Canal Plus, he said:
“We may have the best player in history in the squad. I don’t know why there is a debate. I would always like to have him in my team. This is an example of a person who always wants to win. He is a great example for young people. When I played with him, it was exceptional to be with him on the pitch.”
Lionel Messi has featured in 65 games for PSG across competitions, scoring 29 times and claiming 32 assists.
