Barcelona to Pay Messi €6 Million in Unpaid Wages After Four Years

Barcelona’s dramatic parting with Lionel Messi in 2021 marked the end of an era. After nearly twenty years with the Catalan club, Messi was forced to leave due to the club’s severe financial difficulties, which made it impossible to renew his contract under La Liga’s salary cap rules. The Argentine legend’s farewell was emotional, with tears reflecting the deep bond he had formed with Barcelona. However, despite his departure, the saga of unpaid wages lingered on. Four years later, Messi is finally set to receive around 6 million euros (over 85 crore taka) in outstanding payments from the club, bringing a long-awaited closure to a troubling financial chapter.

Messi’s exit was bitter, and his next step took him to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he spent two seasons. Although his time in France was highly anticipated, it didn’t quite match the highs of his Barcelona career. Rumors frequently swirled about a possible return to the Catalan club, but those never materialized. Instead, in mid-2023, Messi made a surprising move to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami. Meanwhile, the issue of his unpaid wages at Barcelona remained under wraps but unresolved.

According to Spanish media outlet *Sport*, Messi’s last contract with Barcelona in 2020 was worth approximately 48 million euros, payable in several installments. However, the club’s financial crisis, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, prevented the payment of the final installment. Messi was not alone in this; several other players and staff faced delayed wages as Barcelona struggled financially. Big names like Samuel Umtiti, Sergio Busquets, Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele, and even former manager Ronald Koeman had to wait longer than expected for their payments. The financial troubles at Barca started during the pandemic, which drastically affected the club’s revenue streams.

At the time, Josep Maria Bartomeu was Barcelona’s president, and his management of the club’s finances has been heavily criticized. Bartomeu’s tenure coincided with Barcelona’s deteriorating economic situation and the eventual fallout with Messi. Post-pandemic, Barca faced ongoing challenges, including difficulties in registering new players like Dani Olmo and Pau Victor for La Liga competitions—issues that were only resolved after court interventions. These financial constraints further highlight the troubled period the club endured, even as Messi’s unpaid wages became a symbol of the crisis.

Meanwhile, Messi’s financial situation has become a talking point again, but this time related to his earnings at Inter Miami. According to the Associated Press, Messi’s annual income at Miami is about \$24.46 million, roughly 248 million taka, making it higher than the total salaries of players in 21 other MLS teams combined. This record-breaking salary has pushed Inter Miami to the top in league spending, with their total player salary expenditure reaching an unprecedented \$46.8 million as of May 23. Such investment reflects Messi’s status and commercial value, even in a league still growing its global reputation.

Currently, Messi and Inter Miami are competing in the FIFA Club World Cup, marking a significant milestone for the Florida-based club as they make their debut in the tournament. Miami has already advanced to the second round after earning five points in the group stage, with one win and two draws securing second place in Group A. Adding to the drama and emotional stakes, their next opponent is none other than Messi’s former club, PSG. This upcoming last-16 clash, scheduled for Sunday at 10 pm Bangladesh time, is a highly anticipated showdown that pits Messi against his past and presents a unique storyline of loyalty, rivalry, and redemption.

In summary, Messi’s journey from Barcelona’s heartbreak to new beginnings in Miami is layered with challenges and triumphs. The resolution of his unpaid wages finally closes a difficult chapter in his illustrious career. At the same time, his remarkable earning power and ongoing impact in American soccer highlight his continuing influence in the sport. As the Club World Cup match against PSG approaches, all eyes will be on Messi, a player whose legacy extends far beyond financial disputes or club loyalties—he remains one of football’s most compelling and enduring figures.