Gabon denies Messi payment

The government of Gabon has denied paying Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi, to visit the country last weekend.

Pictures emerged of Messi in Port-Gentil and it was alleged by France Football that Messi and former Barcelona teammate, Deco, received €3.5 million for taking the trip.

A statement from the Gabonese embassy has said that isn’t the case, however, while the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo, insisted Messi had promised to visit years earlier.

“The Republic of Gabon strongly denies having transferred or having promised to transfer any sum of money to Lionel Messi, who was in Gabon from July 17 to July 18 on the invitation of Ali Bongo,” the statement read.

“When I was in Barcelona a few years ago, I met Messi and he told me he would come to visit me,” the President revealed, according to the Guardian.

“It’s a promise he made me. He is a man of honour who kept his word.”

The Guardian add that President Bongo has been criticised for human rights abuses and accused of electoral fraud.