In 2020, Barcelona rejected two of Messi's nine demands for a contract extension

It became known why negotiations between "Barcelona" and "Lionel Messi" on the continuation of cooperation failed in 2020. As reported by El Mundo, the club's management rejected two of the Argentine's nine demands.

Messi has requested a new three-year contract with an automatic pay rise linked to a possible tax increase from the Spanish government, then the player's net salary would also increase. The next requirement was continued cooperation with his personal assistant Pepe Costa, who was believed to be one of the future cuts the club was considering following the pandemic.

The pay cut Messi himself took during the pandemic would also have to be returned to him as part of any new deal. A private jet for the whole family for Christmas. A separate VIP box at Camp Nou for his family and also for the family of friend Luis Suarez. Messi's brother Rodrigo had to set commissions himself for a possible transfer to Barcelona of striker Christian Atsu, whose rights he represented.

The club was ready to fulfill the above demands of the 35-year-old football player, but changed its mind after hearing the following two. At the time, the player's release clause was 700 million euros, which the Argentine wanted to reduce to 10 million, and Messi also wanted 10 million euros as a signing bonus for his new contract, but Barcelona could not satisfy him due to lack of funds.

Negotiations broke down. In the summer of 2021, Messi unsuccessfully pushed for a move, although he eventually left the club to join PSG as a free agent.