The economic situation at FC Barcelona remains one of uncertainty and one that requires further attention before it can finally be brought back to its once more than stable condition. The technical and sporting sectors of the club continue to address this issue, but it is a long journey ahead.
Following the resignation of Josep Maria Bartomeu as Barcelona president in 2020, the club has been plagued with some longstanding financial difficulties whose origins can be traced back to the aforementioned presidential tenure. In a recent interview, current Barcelona president Joan Laporta addressed yet another one of them.
As has been highlighted by Spanish outlet SPORT, while speaking to La Vanguardia in an interview addressing the future of the club, the president also spoke of a pending payment that the club still has in agreement with former Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi, and why his decision to join the MLS is understandable, stating:
“…I understand that Messi opted for Miami. We had agreed with La Liga that for Messi we would dedicate a part of the resources we have. It was contemplated within the viability plan. We communicated it to Jorge Messi. He told me that Leo had spent a very difficult year in Paris and wanted less pressure…”
He continued regarding why his current decision makes sense to the Barcelona president:
“….With our option, he would have continued to have pressure and I understood his decision. Have a great time and we start preparing your super tribute. Within the framework of the 125th anniversary and when we return to the Camp Nou it would be perfect…”
Moreover, the president confirmed that as a result of his prior agreement with former president Bartomeu, Barcelona are still paying off Messi’s deferred payments which are expected to continue being paid until 2025.
The president did however confirm that these payments continue to be paid “religiously” and consistently. However, this one incident highlights the massive problem with Barcelona’s financial scheme and older mechanisms, with many payments and salaries still yet to be either amortized or paid fully due to deferments or delays.
