What They're Saying: Josep Maria Bartomeu

• by Soccer America , Nov 26, 2017

"In June, we agreed a contract with Lionel Messi, which is already operative, but we've had to make some changes simply to make the buyout clause more adequate for the current soccer market."

-- Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu after Messi's new contract was confirmed on Saturday, complete with a eye-popping $853 million buyout clause, boosted after Barca lost Neymar to Paris St. Germain in August when the Brazilian activated his $263 million buyout clause. (ESPN FC)