Barcelona have denied that there is a “Messi clause” in their world-record sponsorship deal with Rakuten that would give the Japanese e-commerce giants a way out should the five-time Ballon d’Or winner leave the Nou Camp.
Club president Josep Bartomeu and vice-president Manel Arroyo signed the deal with Rakuten founder and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani on Wednesday, proudly announcing that it could be worth up to £53million per year – the biggest on the planet.
But when asked if the uncertainty over Lionel Messi’s future had been factored into the partnership, Arroyo was clear that there was no doubt on their number 10 staying and no clauses that even considered that possibility.
“What is certain is that no Messi clause exists,” the vice-president of finance said.
“Leo wants to end his footballing career with Barcelona, as he has repeated many times, and we can’t even think about letting him leave… and we are working for that to be the case.
“There is absolutely no reason to worry. Messi’s renewal is coming.”
Arroyo’s confidence echoes the words of Bartomeu, who yesterday said he was ‘convinced’ that Messi would be remaining with the club.
Despite those troublesome reports last week that the 29-year-old, exasperated by his persecution by Spanish tax authorities, might walk away from the club in 2018 after seeing out his current deal.
The forward’s camp are set to fly to Spain over the New Year for more in- depth talks with Barca, and expect there to be no problems in sealing football’s biggest-ever contract.
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