Since Neymar’s departure for Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona more than doubled Messi’s buyout clause to a whopping 700 million euros.
ADVERTISEMENTFive-times world player of the year Lionel Messi has finally signed a new contract that will keep him at FC Barcelona until 2021.
The Spanish club said on Saturday the deal includes a buyout clause set at 700 million euros.
The eye-popping figure aims to keep away even the likes of French team Paris Saint-Germain, which secured Neymar over the summer by triggering his buyout clause with a record 222-million-euro payout.
“As I have always said, it’s my home so I’m happy to remain here,” Messi said of FC Barcelona.
“Our main goal is to keep achieving great things, fill the trophy cabinet and keep making history with this club. We’ve had the luck of achieving many things and hopefully there are more to come.”
He made his debut 4,788 days ago.
He has played 602 games.
He has scored 523 goals.
He has won 30 trophies.
The story continues.#Messi2021pic.twitter.com/XPdIhvaqgI— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 25, 2017
Top scorer in La Liga
Messi agreed on the new contract back in July but signing it took a while, fueling speculation he might follow Neymar’s lead and leave.
The club said that after Neymar’s departure for Paris Saint Germain it more than doubled Messi’s buyout clause. It did not disclose his salary.
Messi has been the heart and soul of Barcelona for more than a decade.
On Friday he picked up the 2017 European Sports Media Golden Shoe for being the top scorer in a domestic league last season, with 37 goals.
Yesterday – Receives his 4th Golden Boot.
Today – Signs a new contract at Barça.Not a bad couple of days for Leo Messi pic.twitter.com/4tr9baH61B
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) November 25, 2017