On The Ball

Messi could move soon, but who can afford him?

Richard Jolly
Perhaps no one, Barcelona included, could afford Lionel Messi. His current annual £54 million (S$97 million) salary means any club's finances would need to be radically revised, even if Messi took a considerable cut.
Perhaps no one, Barcelona included, could afford Lionel Messi. His current annual £54 million (S$97 million) salary means any club's finances would need to be radically revised, even if Messi took a considerable cut. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Updated
Dec 27, 2020, 09:03 AM
Published
Dec 27, 2020, 05:00 AM
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Friday should be a seismic day in the sporting calendar. Not merely as it is 2021 - good riddance to 2020 - but because perhaps its greatest player could upend the footballing world by announcing his departure.

Lionel Messi has scored 644 goals for Barcelona, more than anyone else has ever scored for one club, but he can become a two-club man.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on December 27, 2020, with the headline Messi could move soon, but who can afford him?. Subscribe

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