TheCable

Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, says the Spanish giants are still paying former player Lionel Messi “religiously”.

In an interview with La Vanguardia, the two-time Barca president revealed that the club will continue to pay “outstanding payments” to the football legend until 2025.

Messi left Barcelona in June 2021 after futile attempts at extending his contract due to the club’s financial constraints.

Shortly after the Argentina World Cup-winning captain joined mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Sport reported that debt-ridden Barcelona were owing Messi over £40 million that should have been paid up by 2022.

When asked to speak on the matter during the interview, Laporta confirmed the Spanish giants still owe the Argentina star the deferral of the wage bill that was agreed with the previous board.

“We have outstanding payments to Messi until 2025,” the Barca president said.

“What is owed to him is the deferral of the wage bill that was agreed with the previous board and that produces outstanding payments that end in 2025. He is paid religiously.”

He added that although Messi is still part of Barcelona’s wage bill, it will not impact the club’s record with the financial fair play regulation.

“It corresponds to the wage bill, but it is interpretable,” he said.

“Now, with the improvement of relations with La Liga, the indemnities of the sections will not impact financial fair play, and this is good news.”

Messi left Barcelona after 21 years at the club, scoring 672 goals in 778 appearances for the Spanish giants.

At PSG, he scored 32 goals in 75 games and won two Ligue 1 titles.

Messi also declined a lucrative proposal from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal — who reportedly offered him €400 million per season — and chose to play for Inter Miami, the MLS club co-owned by David Beckham.