Lionel Messi may have turned his back on big money from a Saudi Arabian professional football club, but at Barcelona, he is still getting some on top of his new gigantic salary with the MLS club Inter Miami.
It has been two years since Messi last donned a Barcelona jersey, but his bank account still has the Catalan club's name written all over it.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta explained that Messi continues to get paid because the club owes the player "deferred wages."
"What is owed to him is the deferral of the wage bill that was agreed with the previous board and that produces outstanding payments that end in 2025. He is paid religiously," Laporta said.
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When asked whether this affects the club's standing in the Financial Fair Play, the organization's top official said it does not.
"It corresponds to the wage bill, but it is interpretable."
Laporta explains why Messi's return did not happen
Messi's name is still on Barcelona's payroll, but physically, he is not. Laporta said a deal was almost completed to have the World Cup winner back at Camp Nou.
The president said they intended to offer a large portion of the club's resources, which was included in their "viability plan." However, Messi and his agent, Jorge Messi, thought that could lead to a situation similar to what happened in PSG.
"He [Jorge] told me that Leo had had a very difficult year in Paris and that he wanted less pressure. With our option [of returning to Barca], he would have continued to have pressure and I understood his decision," Laporta said.
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