The newspaper that published the staggering details about Lionel Messi’s contract Sunday is set to face legal action.

Barcelona, who claim to have had no involvement in the leak, plan to sue Spanish publication El Mundo for releasing details about the Argentine superstar’s record-breaking four-year, €555-million deal signed in 2017.

“In view of the information published today in the newspaper El Mundo, in relation to the professional contract signed between FC Barcelona and the player Lionel Messi, the club regrets its publication given that it is a private document governed by the principle of confidentiality between the parties,” the club said in a statement.

“FC Barcelona categorically denies any responsibility for the publication of this document, and will take appropriate legal action against the newspaper El Mundo, for any damage that may be caused as a result of this publication.

“FC Barcelona expresses its absolute support for Lionel Messi, especially in the face of any attempt to discredit his image, and to damage his relationship with the entity where he has worked to become the best player in the world and in football history.”

Messi responded to Sunday’s bombshell by alerting his legal team to also take action against the outlet and to investigate whether any Barcelona officials played a role in leaking the document to the media, Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens of ESPN FC report.

It’s reported that only four copies of the contract, believed to be the most lucrative deal that an athlete has ever signed, are known to exist.

Along with releasing the full sum of Messi’s contract, El Mundo also revealed the 33-year-old earns around €72 million annually. He can earn more through add-ons, which include playing in 60% of Barcelona’s games, progressing in the Champions League, and other incentives.

But, considering Messi agreed to take a pay cut last summer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, his earnings are expected to fall short of €555 million when his contract expires at the end of June.

Messi’s future at the club beyond this season remains very much in the air, as the six-time Ballon d’Or winner failed to engineer an exit last summer and decided to stay another year in order to avoid a legal battle with Barcelona.

Juventus president and head of the European Club Association (ECA) Andrea Agnelli seems to have changed tack on his thoughts on clubs competing in continental tournaments.

He now believes they should only enter on sporting merit.

Last March, Agnelli controversially stated that bigger clubs should be given increased chances of participating in Europe’s elite competitions over teams “without European history” that had enjoyed one good domestic season. He used Juve’s Serie A rivals and 2018-19 Champions League quarterfinalists, Atalanta, as an example.

However, while speaking Wednesday at conference event Think Sport 2021, Agnelli appeared to change his mind in the wake of last week’s leaked plans for a breakaway European Super League. A proposal document outlined a 20-team format outside of UEFA’s jurisdiction, with 15 permanent members and five annual qualifiers, The Times’ Martyn Ziegler reported.

“Increase the stability and participation, keep access from the domestic level, competitions at the European level should be open to all,” Agnelli said as he backed a Champions League revamp over a new Super League, according to Reuters.

“So we, as the managers of the industry, we must keep the dream alive, which is one of the mantras of our history,” he continued. “Everything should be based on sporting matters, of sporting merit, but that we should remember where the fans of the future are going, so there is a strong view that more European matches are welcome.

“It is not just about England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, but we must embrace also the lower competitions, guarantee an adequate European representation but at the same time offer stability of participation. Stay ahead of new competitors in the changing media environment and respect and nurture the interests of domestic championships.”

Multiple reports have linked Real Madrid president Florentino Perez with the latest Super League proposal, but the club has declined to comment on the matter. Outgoing Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu claimed in October that the Catalonian outfit had accepted a Super League invitation – a week after reports surfaced that Wall Street bank JP Morgan, Liverpool, Manchester United, and a host of other European heavyweights from UEFA’s top five domestic leagues had drawn up their own 18-team competition.

FIFA has already hit back at any notion to create a breakaway competition. The governing body last week threatened to ban any players who participate in a proposed European Super League from its tournaments, including the World Cup.

A new-look Champions League is expected to begin in time for the 2024-25 campaign. UEFA is reportedly working on a revision that would scrap the current group-stage format and adopt a new financial distribution structure.

Agnelli declared himself a fan of the early proposals – attributing them to Dutch club and ECA member Ajax – but said he wants his organization to have the final sign-off.

“What I can tell you with certainty is that … I will want any and all reforms to go through the General Assembly of the ECA with all clubs voting for whatever our collective future will be,” he said.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans have hired Baltimore Ravens assistant David Culley to be their next head coach, sources told ESPN, confirming a report by the Houston Chronicle.

Culley, 65, who has spent the past two seasons in Baltimore, just completed his 27th season as an NFL coach. Along with serving as the team’s assistant head coach, Culley was Baltimore’s passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. The Ravens finished the 2020 season ranked last in the NFL in passing.

“David is just a genuine guy,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said in a text to ESPN’s Ed Werder. “He will be who he is everyday. Has been that guy every day of his career. I’m thrilled for him. Great person. Genuine. Full of energy.”

Harbaugh had previously called the Texans’ opening a “great opportunity” and said he believed Culley “would be a tremendous hire for any team, maybe, especially, the Texans with Deshaun Watson.”

Along with Culley, Houston interviewed Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, former