Lionel Messi was reportedly paid a helluva lot of money to visit Gabon

€3.6 million to place a brick, smile and wave? Where do we sign up?

Lionel Messi made a quick trip to Gabon over the weekend, as his Barcelona teammates prepared to fly to the United States for their pre-season tour.

The forward was invited to the African country to lay the first stone at a future African Cup of Nations’ stadium, smile and wave at his legion of Gabonese fans, who lined the streets to see him.

Understandably excited at the prospect of the world’s best footballer arriving in his country, and during a period of rare free time no less, Gabon president Ali Bongo explained how the trip came to fruition.

“When I was in Barcelona a few years ago, I met Messi who had told me that he would come to visit me in Libreville (the country’s capital). It’s a promise he made me. He is a man of honour who just kept his word.”

However, a €3.6 million appearance fee may have also swayed the Argentine forward. France Football have reported that Messi was paid the princely sum by the African country’s government for the honour of his brief presence.

While the delegation to meet Messi were mostly dressed in suits, the Barcelona forward was wearing very casual attire, looking like he’d stopped off in the country on the way to a game of bowling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAqxrLAQkYw

The publication have also reported that the visit was arranged through Messi’s former teammate, and friend of president Bongo, Samuel Eto’o.

€3.6 million might not seem like too much money to Messi, or the oil-rich Gabon, but the country suffers from deep economic inequality.

A third of Gabon’s population live below the property line and 13.2% are reported to live in severe poverty.

Messi’s visit also appears to have cost a chauffeur his job, or president Bongo just chose to personally drive the Barcelona forward around during his trip.

H/T France Football.

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