Lionel Messi, the Argentine star footballer, has been a cornerstone of FC Barcelona for over two decades. However, his future with the club has been in doubt since last year when he expressed his desire to leave. After much speculation and rumors, Messi finally decided to stay with Barcelona for another season.

However, even though he has decided to stay, there are still many obstacles in the way of his continued tenure with the club. One of the biggest obstacles is his salary, which is expected to be reduced by 75% compared to his previous contract.

Barcelona’s financial situation

Barcelona’s financial situation has been a hot topic in the football world for a while now. The club has been struggling with debt, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made matters worse. As a result, Barcelona has been forced to make some tough decisions, including letting go of some key players and reducing the salaries of others.

Lionel Messi’s previous salary

Lionel Messi’s previous contract with Barcelona was worth around €500 million over four years, making him the highest-paid footballer in the world. However, due to the club’s financial difficulties, Lionel Messi’s new contract will be significantly less than his previous one.

The proposed salary reduction

According to reports, Lionel Messi’s new contract with Barcelona will be worth around €200 million over four years. This means that his salary will be reduced by 75% compared to his previous contract. While €200 million is still a lot of money, it is a significant reduction for Lionel Messi, who has been used to earning much more.

The reasons behind the proposed salary reduction

There are several reasons why Barcelona is proposing such a significant reduction in Lionel Messi’s salary. Firstly, the club is in financial difficulty and cannot afford to pay its players as much as it used to. Secondly, Lionel Messi’s previous contract was considered unsustainable, and the club needs to reduce its wage bill to comply with La Liga’s financial fair play regulations.

Lastly, there are concerns that Lionel Messi’s reduced salary could have a knock-on effect on the salaries of other Barcelona players. If Messi, the highest-paid player in the team, is earning significantly less, then it may be difficult to justify paying other players high salaries.

Messi’s reaction to the proposed salary reduction

Lionel Messi has not yet commented on the proposed salary reduction, but it is expected that he will be disappointed with the news. Messi has been with Barcelona since he was a child, and he has always been committed to the club. However, it is understandable that he will want to be paid what he believes he is worth, especially given his status as one of the best footballers in the world.

Conclusion

Lionel Messi’s future with Barcelona has been in doubt for a while now, and the proposed salary reduction is just one of the many obstacles that stand in the way of his continued tenure with the club. While it is understandable that Barcelona needs to reduce its wage bill, it is also important to recognize the contribution that Messi has made to the club over the years.

The proposed salary reduction is a significant one, and it remains to be seen how Messi will react to the news. However, whatever happens, it is clear that Messi will always be remembered as one of Barcelona’s greatest ever players, and his legacy at the club will live on for many years to come.