After months of speculation, Lionel Messi inked a new contract with FC Barcelona on Saturday morning that commits him to Camp Nou through the 2020-21 season when he is 34-years old. Had Messi not signed, he would have been free to listen to offers from other teams on Jan. 1. With this signing, the club confirmed his new buyout clause is set at $835 million (€700 million), more than double his previous clause ($357 million / €300 million). According to Spanish paper El Mundo, Messi will receive a $59.6 million signing bonus. If his entire bonus is paid this season, Messi will gain the top spot on our annual list of The World's Highest Paid Soccer Players and round out the top three of The World's Highest Paid Athletes.

Source: Forbes November 25, 2017 20:08 UTC