The world's best player to stay at Camp Nou for a long time
How much do Leo Messi's goals cost Barcelona?
Ozren Podnar
Lionel Messi has once again extended his contract with Barcelona, and is now tied to the Catalan club until 30 June 2018. In a short period Barca completed a hat-trick of contract extensions, as Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez had inked new deals before Messi.
The Argentine, who arrived among the blaugranes at the age of 13 and made his debut in the first team at 16, will thus stay at Camp Nou just beyond his 31st birthday.
Even though reports of Messi's future earnings differ, most of the media claim that the new contract guarantees him an annual net salary of 12 million euros and a bonus of up to four million. The latter will depend on the team and individual achievements, such as winning the Champions League, Primera division, the Golden Ball or the Golden Boot.
Since the income tax rate in Catalonia for earnings above 300,000 euros is 56 percent, Messi's fixed gross salary will reach 18.72 million euros. If he also earns the maximum four million bonus, his net income would climb to 16 million, and his gross salary to 24.96 million euros. Considering the most conservative version of his income - the 18.72 million euros gross annual salary - Messi is currently earning 51,287.67 euros per day, 2136.98 euros per hour or 36.61 euros per minute!
Do the figures add up to Barca? It seems so if we consider how last year's costs for Messi compared with his output on the field. Not counting the 12 goals he netted for Argentina, each one of his 79 goals for Barcelona came at the unit price of 206.329 euros for the club. If we count his 25 assists, his employer's cost drops to 156.730 euros for each goal scored or made. And it's not much - not for a club of Barcelona's huge dimensions.
Match made in heaven
Messi has for years been one of the two most high-profile soccer players in world football, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. His presence in the team enhances Barcelona's market standing and puts them in a favourable position regarding TV and sponsorships contracts.
Messi also fuels merchandise sales and helps Barca win plenty of trophies, which carry significant financial prizes, not least the generous UEFA's bonus for each point won or round passed in the Champions League.
Last year was marked by a series of individual achievements, most notably the Golden Boot with the all-time highest tally of 50 league goals in a competitive season and the world record of 91 competitive goals in one calendar year for club and country.
The publicity that accompanied his phenomenal feats like crushing Gerd Muller's 40-year-old record in December will no doubt translate into even more lucrative deals for both Messi and Barcelona, making their "marriage" a match made in heaven.
On the road towards new records
In the current 2012/2013 season, Messi's overall goal average has shot to a career-best 1.31 goal per game. In the Spanish league alone, he has collected 38 goals in only 25 match days, which amounts to a phenomenal average of 1.52 goals per game. If he maintains this rate in the forthcoming 13 league games, he will reach the mythical figure of 57 goals in the Primera, a record that will likely endure for many decades, if not forever.
His recent brace against Granada means he has surpassed the 300 competitive goals in Barca's shirt, staying firmly on course to becoming the single most important individual in the club's history.
Unless of course he decides to leave in the foreseeable future lured by some sheikh's or a Russian oil tycoon's fantastic offer. Still, a potential buyer would have to pay Barcelona's hefty 250 million euros buyout clause, designed to keep out the intruders... or make Messi's transfer the biggest in history by a huge margin.
Industry's poster boy
Messi earns aplenty from non-soccer sources, specifically from endorsement contracts. According to business magazine Forbes, his biggest sponsor is Adidas, but he also has generous contracts with Pepsi Cola, Herbalife, EA Sports, Cherry, Audemars Piguet, Turkish Airlines, Dolce & Gabbana and others.
Various consulting companies and business magazines have estimated his annual earnings from all sources at between 30 and 33 million euros, and his total assets at around 90 million euros.
Given his l achievements last year and enhanced reputation, it is likely that his endorsement revenue will continue to grow this year. What with endorsements and his net salary in Barcelona, Messi's total earnings in 2013. could reach 40 million euros.
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