Messi, Alba and Busquets are still in Barca

August 2021 was without competition the worst month in recent Barcelona‘s history. Not only the horrible truth about Barca‘s financial problems were revealed, but their hero Lionel Messi left the club. After so many years and 35 various trophies, the Argentine was forced to abandon the city as the Catalans couldn‘t afford his wage due to enormous problems. Other stars were ‘advised‘ to reduce their wages or were sold and three years after, the situation is better, but far from over.

The Spanish ‘AS‘ recently revealed, former Barcelona players Lionel Messi, Sergio Busqests and Jordi Alba (who are now playing together in Inter Miami along Luis Suarez) are still on a club‘s payroll! So, while they are not physically in the club, their names are in the financial books and will remain so for another year. These players have agreed to waive the immediate payment of their income in the year of the Covid-19 pandemic in order to help their club and ease the financial burden when all hell broke lose financial wise. Apart from those three ex-players, Frenkie De Jong is also due to his money due to the same reason.

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In this financial report, which will soon be officially published, but ‘AS‘ had a chance to see it, Barcelona explains that it will be able to honor the last part of the payment of its debts during the year 2025, thanks to various contributions (renewal of its contract with Nike, additional income thanks to its return to the Camp Nou). And this, despite net losses of 91 million euros for the 2024-25 season.