Lionel Messi officially left Barcelona on August 8, 2021. Although it’s been almost four years, the ‘financial ties’ between the two parties have yet to be fully settled. Messi is still owed money by Barcelona.
After a long wait, the Argentine World Cup-winning captain is finally about to receive his outstanding salary. On June 30, Barcelona will pay Messi the final installment of his wages, according to Barcelona-based news outlet Culemania.
Messi, who grew up in Barcelona’s academy, played for the club’s first team from 2004 to 2021. When Barcelona cited financial reasons for not renewing his contract, Messi had to leave the club despite his reluctance. Like many clubs, Barcelona was heavily impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
At that time, Messi agreed to defer part of his salary. After leaving Barcelona, he played for PSG and now is settled at Inter Miami in the United States. Barcelona has been paying his outstanding dues in installments, with €5.95 million still remaining.
Culemania reports that on Monday, Barcelona will send Messi the final installment of his owed salary. This payment will mark the complete financial settlement between the club and Messi by the end of the 2024–25 fiscal year.
Messi isn’t the only one owed money by Barcelona. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who now play alongside Messi at Inter Miami, are also owed wages dating back to the pandemic. Busquets is due €1.18 million and Alba €943,000. Their outstanding payments will also be settled tomorrow.
Pedri (€757,000) and Ronald Araújo (€429,000), who had salary deferrals during the pandemic and remain with Barcelona, will also receive their pending wages. Meanwhile, Marc-André ter Stegen and Frenkie de Jong, who did not agree to defer their salaries during the pandemic, renewed their contracts instead.
