Despite $55 Million Deal With Inter Miami, Lionel Messi Will Remain on Debt-Ridden FC Barcelona’s Payroll Till 2025, President Joan Laporta Confirms

Just weeks ago, Lionel Messi shocked the soccer universe by signing a deal with Inter Miami. A majority of the fanbase honestly expected the Argentine to return to FC Barcelona. But that didn’t not pan out. Instead, the World Cup winner accepted a $55 million deal at David Beckham’s MLS club. Recently, Joan Laporta made a major revelation on his club’s debt.

As everybody knows, FC Barcelona has been facing severe FFP problems in the last few years. But the president of the club just revealed that they will need to pay Messi right until 2025.

Despite his departure years ago, FC Barcelona to pay Lionel Messi till 2025

In recent years, FC Barcelona has struggled to on-load their new players. That’s because of their already-existing gigantic wage bill. But recent efforts by the board have seen the financial condition of the club improve. While they haven’t implemented a fire sale like Todd Boehly at Chelsea, the Catalan club has sold some of its major soccer assets. Most recently, they signed a deal with Prime.

Whatever happens, the club still needs to majorly cut down its wage bill. In a recent interview, FC Barcelona President, Joan Laporta revealed that Lionel Messi is still on their payroll! In fact, he will be there till 2025! Here’s what Laporta said. “We are still paying Leo Messi until 2025. It was an agreement he made with the previous board to defer his salary”.

“As of now, it counts towards our salary bill, but it depends. With La Liga’s new rules, these indemnities should not count towards our FFP limit”. Funnily, even without being at the club, the World Cup winner still impacts their finances.

As mentioned above, Lionel Messi unexpectedly signed a deal with Inter Miami from the MLS. At first, his deal did not seem very lucrative. But the revelation of inside clauses from the deal has stunned the fanbase. Apart from his weekly base wage, the Argentine will receive a commission from Apple (MLS season pass) and Adidas!

READ MORE: Lionel Messi’s $54 Million Arrival Leaves Inter Miami Player’s Wages Looking Like Peanuts: Full Team Salary List

If he stays at Inter Miami for the entirety of his two-year deal, the Argentine would make up to $220 million. Similar to Beckham’s deal when he was a player, the World Cup winner could buy a stake in an MLS club after retiring from the game. Additionally, a report recently revealed that Lionel Messi would be interested in buying 35% of Inter Miami in the future!

WATCH THIS STORY: 2 Years After Wanting to ‘Kill’ Him, Lionel Messi Gifts One of His Iconic Awards to His World Cup Winning Teammate in a Wholesome Gesture

What do you think about Lionel Messi still being a part of FC Barcelona’s wage bill? Let us know in the comments below.