Barcelona

Gabon authorities deny paying Lionel Messi £2.5m to visit African nation

Published: July 22 2015 | 11:50

Last updated: July 22 2015 | 15:15

Authorities in Gabon reject reports that Barcelona star Lionel Messi was paid £2.5m to visit the African nation last week for an AFCON event.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi was not paid £2.5m to visit Gabon last week, according to authorities in the African nation.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner and former club teammate Deco laid the first brick for a stadium to be constructed in Port-Gentil for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Reports from France Football and Mondafrique claimed that the Argentina international was paid a significant sum for the visit, but Gabon's government has rejected such suggestions.

A statement read: "The Republic of Gabon strongly denies have transferred or having promised to transfer any sum of money to the Argentine international football player Lionel Messi, who was in Gabon from July 17 to 18, 2015 on the invitation of [President] Ali Bongo."

Messi was given extended time off by Barcelona following his participation in the Copa America with Argentina.