TheCable

Lionel Messi, Argentine football player, will receive payment in cryptocurrency fan tokens as part of his move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the French club announced Thursday.

The 34-year-old Argentine star had a part of his €25 million signing-on fees paid via the French club’s cryptocurrency fan tokens.

Fan tokens are a type of cryptocurrency launched by sports teams. Supporters can use them to buy the clubs’ merchandise and also participate in important decisions and more.

PSG is among the first football clubs to launch fan tokens. Others include Manchester City, AC Milan, and Barcelona.

On Tuesday, Messi was handed a two-year contract by the Ligue one club following a contractual talk collapse with Barcelona.

In a statement posted on PSG’s website, the club said a portion of the six-times Ballon D’or winner “welcome package” included a “large number” of cryptocurrency fan tokens.

The French giant, however, did not reveal information on the value of the tokens and the player’s overall compensation.

“In a world-first for such a high-profile signing, Leo Messi received a large number of ‘$PSG Fan Tokens,” the statement read.

“The inclusion of the $PSG Fan Tokens in the player’s welcome package instantly ties him with millions of Paris Saint-Germain fans around the world. The move further positions Paris Saint-Germain as one of the world’s most innovative and avant-garde sports franchises.

“Token implementation comes as a great illustration of the way the Club is constantly finding ways to increase and diversify its revenue streams to continue developing as a global brand.

“In 2018, Paris Saint-Germain made a pioneering step into the world of blockchain, becoming the first sports franchise to partner with Socios.com. Since then, Paris Saint-Germain and Socios.com have been working side by side to capitalize on this new and unique way to connect the Club with the Fans, and the best is yet to come. For millions of PSG supporters around the world, Fan Tokens have become a creative way to engage with the Rouge & Bleu.

“Paris Saint-Germain fans have been very active on Socios.com, taking advantage of a host of engagement opportunities on the app. Through $PSG Fan Tokens, fans worldwide get the opportunity to choose a motivational message on the wall of the dressing room before a key game, the Goal of the Season, or the winners of the club’s end of season awards. Fans have also experienced unique, personal video calls from first-team stars via the platform, and even more exciting activations are planned for the coming weeks and months.”