Lionel Messi confirms Barcelona players will take pay cut, criticises board

Lionel Messi confirmed on his Instagram on Monday that Barcelona players take pay cuts to aid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in Spain, like players from clubs like Juventus and Borussia Monchengladbach.

In a message on his social media account, the 32-year-old said that the Barcelona players will take a 70 percent pay cut and make financial conributions to ensure the club’s other employees are paid in full. Messi also took a swipe at the club’s board, led by Josep Maria Bartomeu, who he accused of undermining the players recently.

“For our part, the time has come to announce that, as well as the reduction of 70 per cent of our salary during the state of alarm. We will also make contributions so the club’s employees can collect 100 per cent of their salary while this situation lasts,” wrote the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.