Lionel Messi has been a free agent for two weeks, but few doubted that he would sign a new contract with Barcelona.Spanish Sport often know how to ‘drop bombs’, and now they are the first to honour us with the information that Barça and Messi have reached an agreement to extend their cooperation.It is known that the contract, instead of the two-year one that was initially mentioned, will be signed for five seasons, as well as that the Argentine accepted a 50 percent salary reduction, which officially amounts to 56.7 million USD. Unofficially (with all bonuses included) around 82.7 million USD (little less than 9 billion KSH).Florentino labels Ronaldo and Mourinho as ‘idiots’ in a 2012 audio – to top off verbal attacks he made towards two club legends 24 hours priorIt was rumored that in two years, Messi could embark on a new adventure in, say, Inter Miami, but this contract indicates that he will probably end his career in his beloved Barcelona.Financial aspect and the salary have never been a problem in the negotiations, and Messi confirmed that by accepting that his salary be halved. That way he wanted to send a message to his teammates and as true captain lead by example.Official confirmation is expected by the end of this week, and it would be a proper miracle for the agreement to fail. Now it is all in the hands of lawyers and legal teams to deal with all the accompanying details. Spanish media assure that the agreement stands on solid ground and that the agreement, when it is ready, will pass Messi’s authorization, but that the matter is practically resolved. There will also be an exit clause agreed at 710 million USD.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Since the transfer window started – Eric Garcia, Memphis Depay and one of Messi’s best friends – Sergio Aguero – arrived in Barcelona as free players while Emerson Royal came back from Real Betis for 10.5 million USD. Atletico’s Saul Niguez is a possible arrival – it could happen in a potential swap through which Antoine Griezmann would head back to Madrid.But none of that feels as good as the news Messi will stay. Not even by a mile.
