Spanish journalist great José María García has had his say on the leaking of Lionel Messi's Barcelona contract.

The veteran reporter is baffled by the backlash for El Mundo which published the contract details.

He explained on El Espanol: "Some colleagues in the profession are almost worse.

"Instead of paying tribute to whoever has discovered that contract, they say: 'No, they've leaked it'.

"And what the hell do they know? The real contract? Yes. Period. And what about Barça ... are they going to sue El Mundo for telling the truth? Besides, the contracts should be public."

On the size of Messi's contract, García also said: "Messi has not mortgaged Barcelona. Barcelona cannot be ruined because it is the club that is known around the world the most. You know what I think of Florentino. Real Madrid is not a limited company, it belongs to the partners, but nobody would say this.

"For example, why has Florentino let Ronaldo go? Think about his recent signings. Very mediocre. There is no sports director, he is the one who makes them."