wo years ago Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were the two highest paid players in the world. People still think of them as being the best, along with Iniesta, but they are no longer the biggest earners by a long shot. They currently occupy ninth and tenth place in the ranking, overtaken by players like Etoo, Ibrahimovic, Agüero, Rooney, etc... Barcelona is well aware of the fact and knows it has to do right by Messi. It was with this good intention in mind that the club made it known a new contract was being prepared. Leo's current contract with Barcelona expires in 2016 and the club would like to extend it for two or three years more and, above all, increase his salary. Another factor to take into account is the increase in the tax rate which has gone up from 49 to 56%. This means that this year Messi will earn a million and a half less than he did last year. Leo had previously signed a €10.5 million contract, plus add-ons, which was expressed in such a way that half of any bonuses for winning titles would be added to his fixed salary. For this reason, after winning the La Liga and the Champions League in the 2010/11 season, his earnings rose to €11.5 million. Under the new tax regulations this amount would shrink to only €10 million. The aim of the club is to draw up a new contract that will keep the player at Barça until he's 32 or 33, as Messi has expressed his desire to retire in Argentina.