Lionel Messi was one of the two highest-paid footballers in the world two years ago, but he is now the ninth-highest earner, according to Luis Rojo of MARCA. Barcelona "is well aware" of that fact, and "plans do to something about it." They have let Messi know that a new contract "is being prepared." The Argentinian's current deal with the Catalan side expires in '16 and the club "would like to extend it for two or three years more and, above all, increase his salary." Messi has also been hit by "the increase in the tax rate" in Spain, which has increased from 49% to 56%. The change means that for this year, Messi will earn a million-and-a-half less than last year. The player's current contract is worth €10.5M ($13.2M) annually, plus add-ons, which were expressed "in such a way that half of any bonuses for winning titles would be added to his fixed salary." The objective of Barça is to "draw up a new contract" to keep Messi until he is 32 or 33, as he is previously stated his desire to retire in his home country of Argentina (MARCA, 9/5).
