Messi Agrees To a Half-Wage Contract with Barcelona

FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi have agreed to a new five-year contract that will keep the striker at the club with a significant pay drop. According to sources, Messi has agreed to a considerable pay cut in order to extend his stay.

The Argentinian’s last contract, worth more than €500 million ($594 million), ended on July 1. Messi, Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer and game maker, finished his 21-year affiliation with the club last month. He is now a free agent after his previous contract expired.

Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy in 2000 and has since played 778 times for the club. He has the most appearances and goals at the club (672). They’ve won 34 trophies together, including 10 league crowns and four Champions League wins.

Why Is Barcelona Doing This To Messi?

Barcelona’s spending limit has been cut since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to ESPN, from around €600 million ($709 million) to €347 million ($410 million).

UEFA implemented Financial Fair Play to prevent teams from spending above their means. Also to minimize unsustainable debt. Every three years clubs can spend up to €5 million ($5.9 million) more than they make.

Barcelona’s spending limit has been cut since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to ESPN. From around €600 million ($709 million) to €347 million ($410 million). Laporta had wanted to reach an arrangement with Messi before his last contract expired. With a total debt of almost €1 billion, Barca’s financial troubles make it impossible. Transferring players out, lowering the pay cost, and convincing Messi to take a lesser compensation have all required budget cuts.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has warned Barcelona that if they do not cut spending to comply with the league’s Financial Fair Play rules. They would not be permitted to register Messi’s new contract. Since the coronavirus epidemic, Barca’s expenditure cap has been slashed from nearly €600 million to €347 million, with additional cuts likely for the following season.

Messi was approached with many official offers, including one from PSG. He finally chose to remain a one-club guy and play for Barcelona until 2026, when he will be 39 years old. Messi has proved us again. It’s about loyalty than money. He doesn’t care about money yet the love from his team. Messi has been here from the start and wants to end here as well.