'It's totally false that I leaked Messi's contract': Bartomeu denies involvement in Messi contract leak

Josep Maria Bartomeu insists Messi deserves every single penny.

The former president adds that Barca wouldn't have any financial problems with Leo's contract if it wasn't for the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's totally false that I leaked Messi's contract," Barcelona former president Josep Maria Bartomeu firmly stated to CatRadio.

"Leo deserves what he receives both football- and economic-wise. Without the pandemic, Barca can pay these figures perfectly fine," the former president added.

Leo Messi's entire contract was published in Sunday's edition of El Mundo with the headline 'Pharaonic contract which ruins Barcelona'.

There are rumours someone from the Catalan club could be behind the leak. However, Barca officially denied this claims, stating they'd start legal action against the newspaper.

For his part, Messi reportedly plans to sue 5 people close to the club, including Bartomeu and current interim president Carles Tusquets.