Lionel Messi Agrees Barcelona Stay At Reduced Wages
Lionel Messi has agreed to stay at Barcelona on a deal until 2026 that includes reducing his wages to half of his previous salary.
The announcement is dependent on player departures that will allow Barca to fund the Argentina captain's wages.
Messi, 34, was a free agent after his contract that reportedly paid him 123m Euros a season  - expired on 30 June.
He is on holiday after winning the Copa America  and the finer details of the contract are yet to be finalised.
Re-signing Messi was the principal summer target of new chairman Joan Laporta.
Barca are also looking at a swap deal involving forward Antoine Griezmann and Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, with the idea of reducing the wage bill.
Fringe players such as Junior Firpo, Jean-Clair Todibo and Carles Alena have already been sold to free up budget but other big-name departures will also need to take place.
Messi had been linked with moves to Paris St-Germain and Manchester City, where he would be reunited with his former boss at Barcelona Pep Guardiola, as well as America's Major League Soccer, which he has previously considered experiencing.
Messi is Barcelona's record scorer with 672 goals and has won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, seven Copa del Reys as well as claiming the Ballon d'Or on a record six occasions.
Lionel Messi Stars As Argentina Set Up Colombia Semi-Final
Lionel Messi scored a free-kick and set up two goals to inspire Argentina to a 3-0 win over Ecuador and set up a Copa America semi-final against Colombia.
The 34-year-old forward provided assists for Rodrigo de Paul after 41 minutes and Lautaro Martinez late on.
He then curled in a free-kick in injury time after Piero Hincapie was sent off for a foul on Angel di Maria.
Last-four opponents Colombia beat Uruguay 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw.
"I've always said that individual prizes are secondary - we're here for something else," said Messi, whose goal was his 76th for his country. "We have an objective and we're focused on that."
Messi, who is a free agent after his contract with Barcelona ran out, could have given his side the lead early on but hit the post with a shot when through on goal.
He added: "It was a hard match. We know how difficult an opponent they can be. The important thing is we've taken another step forward."
Argentina, who have not won the Copa America since 1993, face Colombia, whose only win in the tournament came in 2001 on Wednesday.
Former Arsenal keeper David Ospina was Colombia's hero after he saved penalties from Jose Maria Gimenez and Matias Vina in the penalty shootout.
Barcelona Coach Koeman “Devastated” Over Officials Arrests
Barcelona Coach Koeman "Devastated" Over Officials Arrests.
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman says he is "devastated" at the arrest of former president Josep Maria Bartomeu following an investigation into the club's financial issues.
Bartomeu was one of four publicized arrests in what police called "an investigation into alleged crimes related to property and the socio-economic order".
The beleaguered former president, who resigned in October, was later released on Tuesday.
"It's not good for the image of the club," said Koeman.
The arrests were made by Catalan police on Monday after an investigation into financial issues at the 26-time Spanish champions.
Josep Bartomeu and his former adviser Jaume Masferrer spent the night in a Barcelona police station, while the club's chief executive Oscar Grau and legal services director Roman Gomez Ponti were detained and released later in the day.
The investigation is thought to relate to the 'Barcagate' scandal in 2020, when the club denied hiring a firm to attack their own players on social media.
Bartomeu, who was elected president in 2014, was under increasing pressure before his resignation, with fans calling for his removal as well as having fallen out with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.
Elections for the club's next president will hold on Sunday.
