Lionel Messi's nine demands to stay at Barcelona leaked

Lionel Messi reportedly wanted Barcelona to satisfy nine key demands in order to sign an extended deal with the club in 2020.

It shocked the world when Barcelona’s favourite son and one of the greatest footballers of all-time, Messi, left his beloved club on a free transfer in the summer of 2021.

The truth is, however, that he came incredibly close to leaving in 2020 as well.

The club were attempting to extend the Argentine’s deal at the time, the same deal that would eventually expire and see him leave for Paris a year later, but the two parties couldn’t come to an agreement.

It’s now being reported by El Mundo and various other news outlets, that the reason for that is Barcelona couldn’t satisfy all of Messi’s nine contractual demands.

Nine demands that, having not been met, were enough to cause Messi to attempt to force his way out of the club before eventually getting his way a season later.

2.A private box for his and Luis Suarez’s family:Okay, so a little more out there with this request but we still feel like it’s a small price to pay to keep someone like Messi at the club. If anyone’s earnt the right to a box, it’s him.

3. €10million renewal bonus: And now for the first sticking point. Barca didn’t have the funds to meet Messi’s expensive bonus request and therefore couldn’t agree to the terms.

4. Elimination of release clause: Messi also wanted his release clause of €700 million reduced to just €10,000. This would give him the freedom to move between clubs should he so choose. Again, Barca rejected this demand.

5. Repayment of wage cuts with interest: The entire Barca team took a pay cut to help the club through the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Messi wanted his wages reimbursing with a 3%