Barcelona to sue Spanish newspaper for publishing details of Messi's €555 million contract

According to the report published by El Mundo, Messi earned 115 million euros for signing a contract in 2017 and among his potential bonuses there is a 3,548,644-euro reward for winning the Champions League and 2,365,766 euros for winning La Liga.

The Spanish Newspaper claimed that the deal signed by Messi is the largest in the history of sport and named it 'colossal contract that ruins Barcelona'.

Before the contract expire on June 30, Messi could end up collecting a maximum of 555,237,619 euros if all conditions were met.

The 33-year old has already earned 511,290,052 euros, almost 92 percent of the total with six months left of the deal to expire.

Barcelona in a statement said, "In view of the information published today in the newspaper El Mundo, in relation to the professional contract signed between FC Barcelona and the player Lionel Messi, the club regrets its publication given that it is a private document governed by the principle of confidentiality between the parties".

Barcelona insisted that they were not responsible for the leak of the contract, although they did not deny the details of the report.

"FC Barcelona categorically denies any responsibility for the publication of this document, and will take appropriate legal action against the newspaper El Mundo, for any damage that may be caused as a result of this publication," statement added.

Lionel Andrés Messi is an Argentine professional footballer and plays as a forward and captains for both the Spanish club Barcelona and the Argentina national team.