Bartomeu breaks silence amid accusation for leaking Messi's contract

The pay details of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner were released recently according to which he would earn in excess of €555m in four years.

Josep Bartomeu, former president of FC Barcelona, has rubbished claims that he was involved in the leak of Lionel Messi’s contract details.

On Sunday, Spanish newspaper El Mundo released a report giving an insight into the pharaonic contract that Messi signed with Barcelona back in 2017.

The report claimed that the mercurial forward would receive a total of €555 million euros over four years that includes his salary, loyalty bonuses, and signing-on fees.

The information regarding his mammoth contract was exclusive, and the Argentina skipper is understood to be looking for the mole responsible for the leak.

Bartomeu has been suspected as the origin of the leak but the former Barca president denies passing away the confidential information.

“It’s a very serious issue and it’s totally illegal to leak professional contracts,” he told Esport3, via Marca.

“Speaking on TV and making accusations is easy, but it’s not a joke and this will end up in court.

“By the way, Leo deserves what he earns. Both for professional and commercial reasons. Without the pandemic, Barcelona could easily pay those figures.”