Soccer star Lionel Messi’s ‘welcome package’ from new club included cryptocurrency

Soccer star Lionel Messi’s “welcome package” to his new club included millions of euros in cryptocurrency. 

Qatari-owned Paris St Germain (PSG), Messi’s new club, confirmed to Reuters there was a “significant” amount of cryptocurrency fan tokens in the soccer star’s package but did not disclose the number.

Other media reports are estimating the amount was between 25 million and 30 million euros.

The 34-year-old recently switched from his longtime club FC Barcelona to join PSG, causing the price of the cryptocurrency to skyrocket.

PSG confirmed trading spiked when rumors of Messi joining the club began, with the club’s token rising more than 130 percent five days after the speculation began, according to Reuters.

A source familiar with the matter told Reuters the token created 30 million euros in sales with the club taking at least 15 million euros. 

Socios.com, which provides the tokens for the club, also confirmed PSG is already seeing revenue from the Messi deal.

“We have been able to engage with a new global audience, creating a significant digital revenue stream,” Marc Armstrong, PSG’s chief partnerships officer, said.

Messi said it was the “most difficult” moment in his career leaving FC Barcelona, which he had been with for more than 20 years. He even offered a 50 percent pay cut to try to stay.

“In these last few days I was thinking about what I would say today, but to be honest I couldn’t come up with anything. I was blocked, like I still am right now,” Messi said. “I was convinced that we would remain with the club, which is our home.”

Messi is expected to keep boosting revenue for PSG as his contract has him there for two years, with the option to add a third year.