Source: REUTERS/Hannah McKay
[Saba Sports News] According to Spanish media reports, Barcelona is about to settle the final salary payments for 19 players, including Lionel Messi, who signed salary deferral agreements during the pandemic. Barcelona’s deferred salary agreement began planning under Josep Maria Bartomeu before his resignation in 2020, but was formally finalized after he left the club. In December 2021, Barcelona made its first payment of deferred salaries. Since the deferred salary agreement was reached, Barcelona has consistently fulfilled its commitments, paying the agreed amount to players who signed the agreement every June 30 and December 31 over the past five years. June 30, 2025, is the deadline to fully settle all salaries. Barcelona will make the final payment of 16 million euros. Over the past five years, the senior team players received delayed salaries every six months, while youth teams and coaching staff received payments once a year. Barcelona has completed eight deferred salary payments, with a deferred salary ratio of 42.9% of fixed wages and all bonuses, totaling 120 million euros. A total of 19 senior team players signed the agreement, with Messi receiving the highest deferred salary of 47.6 million euros. He will receive the final payment of 5.95 million euros.