Barcelona have threatened to take legal action after a Spanish publication leaked details about the club's contract negotiations with Lionel Messi.

The report from El Mundo claimed Messi wanted Barcelona to satisfy nine key demands in order to sign an extended deal with the club in 2020.

It shocked the world when Barcelona's favourite son and one of the greatest footballers of all-time, Messi, left his beloved club on a free transfer in the summer of 2021.

The truth is, however, that he came incredibly close to leaving in 2020 as well.

The club were attempting to extend the Argentine's deal at the time, the same deal that would eventually expire and see him leave for Paris a year later, but the two parties couldn't come to an agreement.

It was then reported by El Mundo and other news outlets, that the reason for that is Barcelona couldn't satisfy all of Messi's nine contractual demands.

Nine demands that, having not been met, were enough to cause Messi to attempt to force his way out of the club before eventually getting his way a season later.

Barcelona need to find a way to better support Lionel Messi in 2020/21

What does Barcelona's statement say?

A statement issued on Barcelona's official website reads: "In relation to the information published today in El Mundo del Siglo XXI under the title 'Barça Leaks, the Club's secret files part 1', FC Barcelona expresses its indignation at the intentional leaking of information that is part of a legal process. The Club regrets that the media in question boasts of having "access to a huge amount of documents and e-mails that are part of the Barçagate investigation" when this information is yet to be shared.

"In any case, the article in question makes public documents that have noting to do with the ongoing case and their use is an affront to the reputation and confidentiality of the Club. For that reason, and with the aim of protecting FC Barcelona's rights, the Club's legal department are studying the legal measures that need to be taken."

Click here to follow GiveMeSport on Instagram for more football content!

Lionel Messi Barcelona
Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Valencia v FC Barcelona - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - May 2, 2021 Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action REUTERS/Pablo Morano

Messi eventually signed for PSG

Messi said an emotional farewell to Barcelona in the summer of 2021 and went on to sign for Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Ligue 1 title during his debut season in France.

BUY YOUR GOAT MESSI TEE HERE

Lionel Messi GOAT range

Lee Gunner is Arteta IN? Arsenal Title Contenders! Harry Kane to Chelsea! City want Grealish OUT! (The Football Terrace)