Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is reportedly on the verge of signing a new contract with the club to make him the highest-paid player on the planet.

The new deal will earn the four-time Ballon d'Or winner around €20m (£16m) a year, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The contract will include some performance-based additions that will take him above Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's best-paid footballer.

Meanwhile, the Argentina international recently confirmed his return to fitness following a month-long absence with a thigh injury.