Lionel Messi has reportedly given his nod to a record \u00a3623 million five-year Manchester City contract, according to Record Sport.<\/p>\n
The incredible deal would make the Argentine the highest-paid individual in the history of the sport equating to \u00a314,200 an hour, \u00a3341,000 per day, \u00a32.4m every week and a whopping \u00a310.4m per month.<\/p>\n
Messi is expected to spend three seasons at the Etihad before joining City Football Group\u2019s Major League Soccer side New York City FC for two years.<\/p>\n
It is also reported that Messi could be offered an equity stake in CFG as part of his package.<\/p>\n
The six-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner has been at loggerheads with Barcelona since he handed in his transfer request to leave on a free and new Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has decided that if Messi does not want to stay at the Spanish giants it would be better to get him out as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
Messi\u2019s father and representative, Jorge Messi, yesterday flew by private jet from his home in Argentina city Rosario to Spain for showdown talks with Barcelona chiefs today.<\/p>\n
Barca presidential candidate Victor Font insists current president Josep Maria Bartomeu must honor his pledge to allow the Argentine superstar \u201cto leave whenever he wants.\u201d<\/p>\n
And Font declared: \u201cA couple of months ago the president said players have earned the right to leave and retire whenever they want.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, because of these very exceptional circumstances, he has to honour that commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked whether Messi had been betrayed by the club, Font added: \u201cThere is an inconsistency, probably due to mismanagement by the current board, trying to hide behind these wrongdoings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s extremely important for the history of the club that we do what it takes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barcelona claim Messi, 33, is on strike after failing to report for a Covid test and pre-season training.<\/p>\n
But the superstar no longer considers himself a part of Koeman\u2019s squad following a bitter row over his contract.<\/p>\n
In a Sky Sports interview Font added: \u201cI\u2019m sure what Messi has decided has not been a last-minute decision, it\u2019ll be something well thought out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really hope the decision can be changed, but it doesn\u2019t seem likely and if that\u2019s the case the focus should be on getting the transition that Messi deserves.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to ensure the legal battle between the club and Messi stops. We sit down, we talk. Let\u2019s make sure we don\u2019t get into an even worse situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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