Lionel Messi set to sue over leaked Barcelona contract

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona. (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is set to take legal action after details of his contract were leaked to a Spanish outlet.

El Mundo published a story, alongside a front-page, outlining the Argentine’s contract with a headline claiming it was ruining the club.

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According to Sport, Messi is upset those details were made public and his lawyers are preparing an investigation to find out who leaked that information.

Barcelona released a statement expressing their regret that the information was made public and denied having any involvement.

"“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.Source FC Barcelona Website"

Whether or not the Spanish giatns had any involvement, there were only a handful of people who had access to Messi’s contract and some of them used to be at the club.

It should come as no surprise then that Messi is also studying the possibility of suing people within the club.

This leak comes across as a way to make Messi the villain. It’s been happening the last couple of years and has only gotten worse since he expressed his desire to leave before the start of the season.

He has not been shy about criticizing former president Josep Maria Bartomeu in the interviews he’s given and it’s known that their relationship was strained at best. Therefore, it is not out of the question that he or someone from his inner circle leaked that information.

Especially with the latest news about the club’s financial woes. It would be a way to get some of the blame off the last board and onto Messi.

In any case, this is going to do some damage in the efforts of the current presidential candidates to keep Messi at Barca. He’s stated in the past how tired he is of being blamed for all of Barcelona’s problems.

He’s also stated that he would leave when he felt he was no longer wanted at the club. The latest leak proves that someone is trying to push him out the door. Come June, they may get their wish.