Koeman Reacts To Messi’s Leaked Contract After Barcelona Skipper Nets 650th Goal [Watch]

FC Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman is fuming over Lionel Messi’s leaked contract, saying it was done maliciously” and whoever did it want to "hurt Barca and Leo."

As Barcelona are in the middle of an intense financial crisis, Messi’s leaked contract shows the skipper’s earnings is one of the reasons behind the club’s current miserable situation. Spanish newspaper El Mundo has reported Messi's current deal, which was signed in 2017 for four seasons, is worth a whopping $674 million (€555 million), including $167 million (€138 million) in annual earnings.

While Barcelona are preparing to take legal action against the newspaper for leaking such confidential details, Koeman has asked his players not to focus on the issue even though it is quite upsetting.

"Whoever has leaked Messi's contract cannot have a future at Barca. What has come out in the press about Messi was done maliciously. We have to try to know how this could have come out in the press. We have to concentrate on our season. The team's been fine lately. We won a lot of games. We don't have to focus on this issue, but there are people who want to hurt Barca and Leo,” Koeman said in an interview after Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Athletic Club Sunday.

In the home league game, Messi opened the scoring in the 20th minute, which was the Barcelona skipper’s 650th career goal for the Catalan club. Few minutes into the second half, Athletic Club received an equalizer, thanks to Jordi Alba’s own goal. Barcelona’s French forward Antoine Griezmann finished off a cross from Oscar Mingueza to seal a 2-1 victory for his club.

The Barcelona boss rubbished the possibility that the leaked contract would have further motivated Messi on the field.

"Messi has been demonstrating his quality as a footballer for years, has helped a lot to make this club great, and has helped a lot to win titles. I've noticed that Messi was very motivated but not more than for other games. Of course, today's news could have affected him. You have to respect the important players who have done so much for this club. Leo is a winner, he always wants to prove his quality. It's important to be united," added Koeman.

Following the win Sunday, Barcelona are now equal on points with defending champions Real Madrid. While Zinedine Zidane’s boys are placed third in the 2020-21 La Liga table, Koeman’s side is one place above them because of their superior goal difference. Meanwhile, Athletic Madrid are 10 points clear at the top of the table.

"The team was very good, especially in the first half. We deserved one more goal. The team had a major reaction after their goal. When it was 2-1, we had to defend the result and we did. The team is growing, we're playing better, also in the defensive aspect. In February we'll have a lot of games again. It's going to be tough. It's not easy with just two days off between games, but the team's mindset is very good," Koeman heaped praise on his side after the win over Athletic Club.