French newspaper L’Equipe on Saturday published the alleged salary packet of Leo Messi’s three-year deal at Paris Saint-Germain, yet sporting director Leonardo has publicly declared that the figures are false.
It was reported that Messi would earn 30 million euros in each of his first two seasons with PSG, followed by a third worth 40m euros.
Yet Leonardo has hit out at L’Equipe for the article, branding the story as “unacceptable” and “disrespectful” among other terms.
“We cannot accept the [front] cover of a newspaper like L’Equipe,” he said.
“It is completely false. It [shows] a lack of respect and we did not like it. It is very far from the truth, in terms of duration and numbers,” said Leonardo.
“There are confidentiality clauses, but I can say that it is not true (regarding the three years).
“I do not understand the timing of the publication. It really is very far from reality. The duration of the contract is two years. It has no mandatory or non-mandatory option [for a third].”
