The Spanish La Liga giants FC Barcelona are one of the clubs in Europe that are bitterly complaining of financial difficulties especially after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Recall that from mid-March 2020 to most parts of the 2020-2021 season, major clubs in Europe, including Barcelona played their games behind closed doors. Hence, they were not able to generate revenues from matchday activities.
Despite this shortage in revenue, Barcelona continued to pay huge sums of money to some of their best players at the club. Due to that, the club is now battling with a huge sum of debt.
Below are the top five highest-earning players at FC Barcelona
- Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi was the most decorated player at FC Barcelona and one of the most productive footballers on the pitch. Due to how important he was at the club, he was the highest-paid player at FC Barcelona.
Before his contract with the Spanish club expired on June 30, 2021, the 34-year-old football star reportedly earned €70,758,000 per year which means that his weekly wage was around €1,360,731.
Though his contract with the club has expired, he can still be considered as a player of Barcelona since the club’s president, Joan Laporta insisted that the negotiation between the club and the representatives of Messi is still going on smoothly.
- Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann is the second highest-earning football star at FC Barcelona. The 30-year-old forward who left Atletico Madrid for Barcelona on July 14, 2019, for a transfer fee worth €120 million, is expected to remain at the club until 2024.
If the Spanish football star remains at FC Barcelona for that long, he will continue to earn €45,834,000 every year which means that Griezmann is entitled to €881,423 per week.
- Frenkie de Jong
Frenkie de Jong is one of the youngest football stars at FC Barcelona and also one of the highest earners at the club. The 24-year-old Dutch football star has been at the club since July 1, 2019, after his €86 million transfer from Ajax.
Since then, the central midfielder has been earning €20,834,000 per year which means that De Jong’s weekly wage is €400,654 per week.
- Sergio Busquets
Sergio Busquets has been at FC Barcelona since he was a teenager and remains one of the most important players at the club. This makes him one of the highest-paid players at the club.
The 32-year-old Spanish defensive midfielder is currently earning €14,949,000 per week which means that Busquets will earn €287,481 per week until his current contract with the club expires on June 30, 2023.
- Gerard Piqué
Gerard Piqué is one of the veterans at FC Barcelona and the Spanish defender is well-taking care of. The 34-year-old Spain international who has been at Barcelona in most of his football career is expected to remain at the club until June 30, 2024.
Until then, Gerard Piqué will keep earning €12,740,000 per year which means that the weekly wage Of the football star is €245,000.
LEGENDARY BARÇA CHIPS ⚽🤯 pic.twitter.com/TIk5QQLN8O
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 8, 2021
