ANDhe New York Times has had access to the details of Messi’s contract as promoter of Saudi Arabia for which the Argentine star could receive up to 22.5 million euros for three years for a few commercial appearances, a handful of social media posts, and a few all-expenses-paid vacations in the kingdom with his family and kids.
The document contains one condition: Messi cannot say anything that could “smear” Saudi Arabia, as wielded by the New York Times. Whoever won the World Cup with Argentina in December joins other athletes recruited to offer a good global image. In addition to the investment that the Saudi kingdom has made to acquire other professional sports such as the purchase of a team in the Premier League, boxing matches, Formula 1, professional golf, paddle tennis, beach volleyball…
The deal with Saudi Arabia with Messi in data
In February 2021, a few weeks after closing the deal, Messi wrote a letter to the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia apologizing for not being able to make the scheduled visit. In it he informed that he had to be absent due to his obligations as a footballer, then at FC Barcelona, for his league match against Real Betis and the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal against Sevilla FC.
Therefore, the New York Times says that “the details of Messi’s contract with the tourism authority have been a closely guarded secret. It is not clear if the contract reviewed by The Times is the current version of the deal.” Although they do not detract from its veracity after contrasting it with other sources related to the agreement. Some data that are discussed in the contract dated January 1, 2021 which was signed by Leo Messi and his brother Rodrigo, Leo’s commercial manager.
- €1.8 million, for one annual family vacation of five days or two annual vacations of three days each. Travel expenses and five-star accommodation will be borne by the Saudi government for Messi and up to 20 family and friends.
- €1.8 millionfor promoting Saudi Arabia on his social media accounts 10 times a year, in addition to doing the same on his vacations in the kingdom.
- €1.8 million more to participate in an annual tourist campaign. (In November they shared the first campaign, an elaborately filmed video of the desert.)
- €1.8 million for charity works and appearances.
