Sports
Lionel Messi Nears Barcelona Deal at 50% Pay Cut to Some $80 Million a Year
Denis Suarez vies with Lionel Messi during the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo.
Photographer: Pau Barrena/AFP/Getty Images
Barcelona, Spain (AP) -- Lionel Messi and Barcelona are closer to signing a new deal that would keep the Argentina star at the Spanish club through the end of his playing career.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations between club and player told The Associated Press on Friday that Messi was prepared to accept Barcelona's offer of a five-year contract at 50% of his previous salary. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations.