San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Messi closer to new deal with Barcelona
Lionel Messi and Barcelona are closer to signing a new deal that would keep the Argentina star at the Spanish club through the end of his career.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations between club and player told the Associated Press on Saturday that Messi was prepared to accept Barcelona’s offer of a fiveyear contract at 50% of his previous salary.
In his previous contract, signed in 2017, Messi earned $163 million per season.
Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, acts as his agent. Barcelona has not commented.
Messi, 34, joined Barcelona at age 13. Last August he stunned Barcelona by announcing that he wanted out after the 20192020 season ended without a title and his relationship with thenclub president Josep Bartomeu deteriorated.
The return of Joan Laporta to the club’s presidency in March has been key in bringing Messi back into the fold. Laporta ran Barcelona when Messi broke out as a teenager.
A significantly lower salary for Messi is critical to keeping him at the financially troubled
CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday GROUP PLAY
Canada (2-0) at United States (2-0), 2 p.m. 2t$
El Salvador (2-0) vs. Mexico (1-1), 7 p.m. FS1 $ Saturday’s scores
Qatar 4, Grenada 0 Honduras 3, Panama 2
club following losses sustained by the pandemic and questionable management.
Messi’s contract with Barcelona expired June 30, making Barcelona fans nervous that he could be lured away to big spenders like Paris SaintGermain or Manchester City.
Messi has won 35 club titles in 17 seasons, including four Champions Leagues, and set club records for goals (672) and appearances (778).
Winless streak hits nine for Quakes
The visiting Earthquakes gave up a goal in the 53rd minute to 19yearold Cole Bassett to tie the Colorado Rapids 11.
San Jose (373) is winless in its past nine games, outscored 185 over that span.
Bassett ripped a leftfooter from the top of the area through traffic and into the net.
In the 11th minute, San Jose’s Javier Lopez took a pass from Cade Cowell, cut back and ripped a sidenetter to give the Earthquakes a 10 lead. Cowell, 17, is the first player in MLS with at least four goals and four assists this season.
The Rapids (633) are unbeaten in their past three games.
Back to Canada:
Two of the three Canadian teams returning highlighted other MLS action.
Jozy Altidore returned to action for with a goal and Toronto FC, at home in front of fans for the first time since March 2020, tied Orlando City 11. In Montreal, Ahmed Hamdi scored the tying and winning goals in a late burst and CF Montreal beat FC Cincinnati 54. Both Canadian teams had been playing home games in the U.S.amid COVID19 travel restrictions.
Other highlights:
Hany Mukhtar scored three goals in a sixminute span and host Nashville beat the 10man Chicago Fire 51. ... Gustavo Bou scored his seventh goal of the season and the visiting New England Revolution beat Atlanta United 10 . ... Lucas Zelarayan scored his fourth free kick goal of the season to help the host Columbus Crew beat New York City FC 21.