FC Barcelona must pay the superstar and captain of the club, Lionel Messi a loyalty bonus of €39m at the end of the season, even if he decides to leave the club, according to a report by El Mundo. The Argentine superstar’s contract has recently been revealed with a detailed breakdown of the player’s salary and bonuses.
A new report shows how Messi must be paid a total amount of €38,964,977.50 by the club at the season end, regardless of whether the Argentine superstar wants to continue with the club or not.
The speculations started after the news last summer that Messi would stay at the Camp Nou for the ongoing season. He clarified that he was not very happy or satisfied to do so, after making threats to leave the club on a free transfer in the close-season.
The news regarding Messi’s contract follows on from a report last month in the El Mundo indicating the club’s alarming financial situation as they are now in a debt of over €1billion with €730m of that due in the short-term.
Simultaneously, the club’s first-team squad’s wage bill has been reduced by a reported €80m, and there is still a worrying financial outlook for the club.
The interim president of the club Carlos Tusquets gave a detailed interview to Catalan radio station RAC1, with quotes carried in full by Marca. While giving the interview, he claimed that the club was struggling to pay the players’ pre-agreed January salary.
