‘Messi hasn’t asked for pay rise’

Lionel Messi

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has insisted that Lionel Messi has not asked for a new and improved contract after Real Madrid made Cristiano Ronaldo the world’s best-paid player earlier this week.

The Portugal international signed a five-year deal worth €21m per season on Sunday to become the football’s highest-ever earner, fuelling speculation that Messi could demand a pay raise to match.

However, Rosell has stressed that Ronaldo’s contract renewal has had no impact on the Argentine’s stance over his current deal at Camp Nou.

“Does Ronaldo’s renewal affect Messi’s contract? Messi hasn’t said anything to us,” Rosell told reporters. “He’s happy here and he’s at the best club in the world. No news is good news.”

The Barca president then went on to discuss the ongoing contract talks with Andres Iniesta and stressed that he expects the player to renew imminently.