While the figure may seem extraordinarily high, they expect to make it all back simply through advertising.
Messi has spent his entire career at Barcelona and has a contract until the summer of 2018, but there is real fear for the first time that he could leave the Nou Camp.
Lionel Messi scored two as Barcelona hammered Celta Vigo 5-0 to reach top of La LigaGetty Images
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Lionel Messi is playing some of best football of his entire career this seasonGetty Images
The Catalans have been far from their dominant best this season, and that could be down to a number of factors.
Firstly, the uncertainty surrounding the future of Luis Enrique.
Secondly, the disappointing form of Neymar, who suffered a hangover from his involvement in the Olympic Games, as well as the obvious stress of a tax fraud court case hanging over his head.
Lionel Messi was the match winner with a late penalty to beat Leganes 2-1Getty ImagesLionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or a record five times while at BarcelonaAP:Associated Press
And, thirdly, the ongoing contract ‘talks’ with Messi over a contract extension.
Well, Enrique has confirmed he will stand down at the end of the season — and Neymar has doubled his goal tally for the entire season since the start of 2017.
And it has seen Barcelona score 11 times in their past two games and climb back to the top of La Liga.
Neymar has enjoyed a massive upturn in form, doubling entire goal tally in 2017AP:Associated PressBarcelona are playing with more freedom since Luis Enrique confirmed futureGetty Images
The club hierarchy have noticed this, and are keen to get Messi’s future sorted sooner rather than later.
This was supposed to be the worst Barcelona side in a decade, but they arrive for their Champions League clash with PSG in glittering form.
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