Barcelona’s unresolved financial obligations persist: A two-year wage debt to Lionel Messi remains, even after the failed attempt to re-recruit him.
BARCELONA president Joan Laporta has disclosed that the club is still indebted to Lionel Messi for a period of two years, encompassing his final seasons with the team.
This revelation emerges amidst a growing exchange of words between Messi and Barcelona, with conflicting narratives being presented by both sides regarding the reasons behind the failed reunion.
Messi stated after joining Inter Miami that the reason a return to Barcelona never materialized was due to his past experience with the club and its persistent financial issues.
When Messi departed Barcelona in 2021, the club was grappling with dire financial circumstances, leading several high-profile players to accept pay cuts.
There was even speculation that players like Gerard Pique and Lionel Messi would play for free to alleviate the club’s financial strain.
Messi asserted that similar issues persisted during the summer, ultimately serving as the reason for his non-return to the Nou Camp.
He expressed, “I genuinely wanted [to join Barcelona], I was incredibly excited about returning, but after going through what I experienced and the manner of my exit, I did not wish to find myself in the same situation again.”
“I heard they had to sell players or reduce players’ salaries, and the truth is I did not want to go through that again, nor be responsible for acquiring something that was connected to all of that.”
In an interview with Catalan publication La Vanguardia, Barcelona President Laporta confirmed that the financial issues that created a rift between the club and Messi had not been fully resolved, with Barcelona still owing money to Messi.
He stated, “The deferred salary bill that was agreed with the previous board is what is owed to him, with pending payments extending until 2025.”
However, Laporta refuted the notion that Barcelona would have faced a similar situation if they had signed Messi this summer.
“We had an agreement with LaLiga that allocated part of our resources to Messi. It was contemplated within the feasibility plan,” he said.
Laporta then appeared to indirectly criticize the Barcelona legend, suggesting that Messi no longer desires to play in the high-pressure environment of a top European league.
“We communicated the proposal to Jorge Messi. He informed me that Leo had a challenging year in Paris and wanted less pressure,” Laporta continued.
“With our option, he would have continued to face pressure, and I understood his decision. We wish him the best of luck, and we will begin preparing his super tribute.”
Lionel Messi’s first match for Inter Miami is expected to be against Mexican side Cruz Azul on July 21 as part of the Leagues Cup, which features MLS teams competing against Liga MX teams.
The David Beckham-owned franchise will greatly benefit from Messi’s contribution, as they currently sit at the bottom of the MLS standings.
During Laporta’s interview with La Vanguardia, the Barcelona President also revealed his expectation of Clement Lenglet joining Tottenham on a permanent deal this summer.
“I believe Tottenham will reach an agreement for Lenglet. These negotiations usually do not progress rapidly. It depends on the other party. For us, these are cases that should have been resolved yesterday.”
