Cristiano Ronaldo’s Monthly Salary at Al Nassr Makes Barcelona’s Latest Salary Offer for Lionel Messi Look Like Side Hustle

FC Barcelona awaits the return of the prodigal son, Lionel Messi. With rumors surrounding the La Masia graduate, Messi is in the last few days of his PSG contract, which ends on June 30. There have been speculations on the Argentine’s next club, with reports suggesting several clubs are in the race for the World Cup winner. One of the clubs in contention to land Messi is his former club.

Spanish giant FC Barcelona reportedly wants to bring their talisman back and is working on the options. But the Catalan giant is not the only club in the race. PSG has also tabled a deal to extend the contract. There are also offers from Saudi Arabia. David Beckham’s Inter Miami is also seriously following Messi, and the MLS is ready to offer an out-of-the-box deal to land Messi. 

FC Barcelona is working on a formula to bring Lionel Messi back

FC Barcelona wants to sign Messi for the last dance. However, recent financial troubles at the club make the deal difficult. The club is continuously in contact with La Liga to propose ways to sign players next season. It will be an uphill task for the club, who are yet to register new contracts to sensational talents like midfielder Gavi and defender Ronald Araujo.

Recent reports from Spain suggest that Barcelona has come up with a plan to sign Lionel Messi. According to El Nacional, there has been a first approach from club President Joan Laporta, who presented an offer of $213,400 per year. It is the minimum wage a La Liga club can offer a player. Compared to the salary of Cristiano Ronaldo (around $200 million a year), it is peanuts.

However, Laporta has proposed Messi will collect $106 million from his farewell game. The same publication has also reported that Barcelona will offer Messi a percentage of the merchandise sold in his name. It will take the potential earnings of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to $216 million reportedly. Whether Messi accepts the offer remains to be seen, but it will be the most followed transfer story this summer. 

FC Barcelona looks serious about signing the Argentine

Club officials, including the president and the manager, are publicly flirting with a move for Messi. Despite the enormous debt at Camp Nou, they seem to be keen to bring Messi back. Barcelona needs over $200 million to be scrapped off the wage bill before the 2023-24 season starts to meet the FFP regulations of La Liga.

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The club is already working on some sales of the players. It will also look like asking some players to take a pay cut. Gerard Pique’s recent retirement has helped the club to reduce its wage bill to some extent. It will be interesting to see how the club acts in the coming months to sign Lionel Messi and meet the FFP guidelines of La Liga.

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Will Lionel Messi play for FC Barcelona next season?