Lionel Messi: Lionel Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after a debt-ridden Barcelona failed to come up with a suitable contract for him. At that time, he had a contract which was believed to be the highest paying contract in sports around the world. From this huge amount of money, Barcelona still had a debt left to be paid to Leo Messi when he left in 2021. As per Barcelona President, Joan Laporta, they are still paying the amount ‘religiously’ and will keep paying till 2025.
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As per reports, Lionel Messi had the highest paying contract when he left Barcelona in 2021. Debt-ridden Barcelona still owed him a lot of money at that time which apparently they are still paying. During an interview with La Vanguardia, Barcelona President Joan Laporta was asked whether they owed Messi any money now. To that question, he replied, “What is owed to him is the deferral of the salary bill that was agreed with the previous board and that produces pending payments that end in 2025. He is paid religiously.”
Apparently, at that time, Messi was under a contract which said he would be paid €555,237,619 throughout four seasons at the club. As per reports, when Messi left Barcelona, they still owed him €52 million from that €555 million deal. La Blaugrana intended to pay the amount by 2022. However, they failed to do so and Messi is still being paid and will keep getting paid till 2025. If Leo Messi came back, Barcelona would have had to accommodate money for his new contract along with his owed amount.
Many believed this money would come from current players taking pay cuts or selling players from their current team. During Leo Messi’s announcement of joining Inter Miami, he said that he didn’t want any of that to happen. However, Laporta assured that “one thing has nothing to do with the other.” During his recent interview, Laporta said, “We had an agreement with La Liga that we would dedicate part of the resources we have to Messi. It was contemplated within the feasibility plan.”
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As per Laporta, they would not have used the money taken from other players’ salaries or from their sales. He assured they had other plans to accommodate Messi. However, doubts still remained in Messi’s mind. He did not want to go through the pressure he went through during his move to PSG. As per Laporta’s words, they have no hard feelings between them. He wished Messi to do well in his new venture. He also revealed his plans for the Messi’s ‘super tribute’ at Camp Nou.
Wishing Messi and planning for the tribute match Laporta said, “We communicated it to Jorge Messi. He told me that Leo had spent a very difficult year in Paris and that he wanted less pressure. With our option, he would have continued to have pressure and I understood his decision. Let him do very well [in Inter Miami] and we will begin to prepare his super tribute. Within the framework of the 125th anniversary and when we return to the Camp Nou it would be perfect.”
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