Lionel Messi may need to accept a 75% reduction in his previous Barcelona salary in order to enable a return to Camp Nou.
Heading for a Tense Departure from Paris Saint-Germain
The winner of the 2022 World Cup is approaching a contentious conclusion to his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain. As the suspended athlete does not plan to renew his contract with the Ligue 1 team, Barcelona openly expressed their wish to re-sign him. However, their financial predicament poses a significant obstacle.
Potential Contract Offer from Barcelona
As reported by Sport, the Catalan team is preparing a two-year contract worth a quarter of his last salary at the club, which amounted to approximately €100 million gross in the 2020-21 season. The proposed agreement also includes a clause allowing him to leave after one season with a €25 million gross salary.
Competing Offers from Al Hilal and Inter Miami
Mundo Deportivo states that the 35-year-old athlete has received a massive $300 million (€271.37 million) per year offer from Al Hilal to join the Saudi Pro League, which is over ten times what the Catalan team is proposing. Additionally, Inter Miami owner David Beckham recently met with him in Paris to persuade him to move to the United States.
Financial Constraints and FFP Compliance Issues
Barcelona’s financial restrictions are a significant impediment in finalizing the deal, and their pursuit has not made significant progress. The club needs to reduce its salary budget by €200 million (£176 million/$220 million) and generate an additional €100 million (£76 million/$120 million) in transfer fees to comply with La Liga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. Signing him would further complicate this process.
Two-Week Suspension and Return Timeline
The athlete faces a two-week suspension due to an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. This will result in him missing the next two PSG matches against Troyes and Ajaccio. However, he is expected to be back in action for the game against Auxerre on May 21.
Early Career and Barcelona Emergence
Lionel Messi‘s journey began in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, where he displayed exceptional talent from a young age. At the age of 13, Messi moved to Spain to join FC Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia. He quickly rose through the ranks, and in 2004, he made his debut for the first team. Messi’s impact was immediate, as he showcased his dribbling skills, vision, and goal-scoring prowess.
Record-Breaking Years
From 2008 to 2012, Lionel Messi experienced a period of unprecedented success. He won the FIFA Ballon d’Or four times consecutively, solidifying his status as one of the world’s best players. During this time, he broke numerous records, including becoming Barcelona’s all-time top scorer and the first player to score five goals in a UEFA Champions League match.
International Struggles and Success
While Messi’s club success was unparalleled, his international career with Argentina was initially marked by disappointment. He participated in three Copa America tournaments and one World Cup without securing a title. However, in 2021, Lionel Messi finally achieved international glory, leading Argentina to victory in the Copa America.
Departure from Barcelona
In August 2021, Messi’s storied career at Barcelona came to an end due to the club’s financial constraints. He had won numerous titles with the Catalan giants, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and four UEFA Champions League titles. Following his departure, he signed with Paris Saint-Germain, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his illustrious career.