Lionel Messi's deal with Paris Saint-Germain includes payment in cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency might still be a mystery to some of us. But, apparently, it's a no-brainer for international athletes and big-time soccer clubs.

Reuters reported Thursday that former Barca star Lionel Messi's signing on fee with Paris Saint-Germain includes "some of the French club’s cryptocurrency fan tokens." The exact amount of tokens, and the exact amount of the soccer star's new two-year deal, have not yet been disclosed.

According to Reuters, this form of cryptocurrency is "increasingly seen by clubs as a source of new revenue and Socios.com, which provide the tokens for PSG and other top clubs, says tokens have generated nearly $200 million for its partner clubs in 2021, with PSG already seeing revenue from the Messi deal."

Fan tokens, like bitcoin, can be traded on exchange and have their value change dramatically. Per the Reuters report, trading of PSG fan tokens surged even before Messi arrived in Paris to sign his new deal.