Lionel Messi entitled to a €33 million loyalty bonus even if he leaves Barcelona

While everyone might not see eye to eye on the role of money on the modern game of football, all must agree on the impact that it makes on the sport. Keeping that in mind, it is only logical that the best players in the world are paid a handsome amount of money for representing a particular club. 

Oftentimes, their commitment, or as applicable in this case, ‘loyalty’ to a club can often earn them an extra amount of money. This is called a ‘loyalty bonus’, and is a method of keeping good players at a particular club. 

Lionel Messi signed a new contract with his only professional club, Barcelona in 2017. The contract included the ridiculous €700 million release clause that was talked about throughout the summer, and also promised the Argentinian a loyalty bonus worth €66 million. 

The most surprising part about the clause is that Messi will be entitled to receiving the amount even if he leaves Camp Nou when his contract expires in the summer of 2021. 

Half of the loyalty bonus, €33 million was paid to the forward in February. The rest of the money will be shelled out by the club in June of 2021, and is independent of whether he decides to leave the club. 

Barcelona are currently in a dire financial crisis, and most people would agree that despite Messi’s quality as one of the greatest players ever, having him on the books is difficult, even for a club like Barcelona, who pay their captain a guaranteed €70 million per season. 

The Blaugrana have been holding out for a wage reduction for the players, but have not made a breakthrough in those talks either. Their ridiculous €230 million wage bill per year will have to be reduced if stability is to be achieved at the club.

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