LIONEL MESSI and Co face a 30 pay cut next season as Barcelona and Real Madrid consider extending the wage drop caused by coronavirus.
Barca players have been on a 70 per cent reduction since March, while Real’s squad agreed a cut of around 10-20 per cent as clubs’ finances suffer during the lockdown.
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Barca legend Lionel Messi has previously said players are willing to help out but should not be portrayed negatively by the clubCredit: Reuters
Real Madrid stars like ex-Chelsea hero Eden Hazard face a continued drop in their huge wagesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Now the two LaLiga giants are negotiating with the European Club Association over more salary-slashing.
Barcelona legend Messi has previously stressed players were happy to help out but felt the club’s board were portraying them negatively in the media.
And it seems likely both squads will be prepared to continue with smaller pay-packets for another year.
Barca reportedly hope such measues will save around £203million, having started the season with Spanish football’s top wage bill of £583m, including Messi’s weekly deal of about £500k.
LaLiga aims to restart by mid-June, albeit behind closed doors probably until next year.
And Spain’s top two sides are both considering playing at 6,000-capacity venues rather than their usual huge stadiums – to limit the psychological effect of having no fans.
Madrid are ready to switch from the Bernabeu to the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium.
So Barcelona are now pondering playing at the Johan Cruyff Stadium instead of the Nou Camp.
Spanish clubs get much of their money from advertising around the ground.
That means they will arguably suffer even more than many European rivals from matches taking place without spectators.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
