La Liga club, Barcelona, is still paying the Argentine legend, Lionel Messi, more than two years after he tearfully left the club in 2021. Despite his departure, Barcelona will continue to pay Messi until at least 2025. His departure from Barcelona was a result of the club's inability to offer him a new contract that would comply with Financial Fair Play Limits. His previous contract, which expired on June 30, 2021, is widely believed to be the highest-paid sports contract in history. According to El Mundo, Messi had agreed to receive a staggering €555,237,619 (US$604.2 million) over four seasons, subject to meeting certain conditions.
Surprisingly, even though Messi has not played for Barcelona for two years, he is still receiving payments from the club, and these payments will continue until 2025. Barcelona President Joan Laporta confirmed that these payments are part of the salary deferral agreed upon with the previous board, resulting in pending payments that extend until 2025. Laporta emphasized that Messi is being paid diligently as per the agreed terms.
Previously, Barcelona had claimed that Messi's decision to reject a return to the club and instead join Inter Miami was driven by a desire to step away from the spotlight. Laporta reiterated this claim, stating that Barcelona had an agreement with La Liga to allocate a portion of their resources towards Messi. However, Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi's father, expressed that Leo had experienced a challenging year in Paris and desired less pressure. Given Barcelona's option, Messi would have continued to face significant pressure, and Laporta understood his decision to move to Miami.
Laporta mentioned that once Messi settles in Miami and performs well for Inter Miami, they will begin preparing a grand tribute for him. This tribute is expected to coincide with Barcelona's 125th anniversary and their return to the Camp Nou stadium, creating a perfect setting for honoring their legendary player.
With Messi's contract at Paris Saint-Germain now expired, he is officially an Inter Miami player. It is anticipated that his first appearance for his new club could be during the Leagues Cup home game against Cruz Azul on July 21. Messi has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Inter Miami, reportedly worth between $125 million and $150 million (£100 million to £120 million).
