The same way Barça hasn't finished paying the transfer fees of many of its current players, it continues to owe amounts to others no longer in the squad.
Barça owes Messi 51 million
This is the case of Leo Messi. Joan Laporta let him go from Barça due to the impossibility of paying him 144 million euros per year, which he received as a salary.
It's been more than three years since Messi left Barça in tears. The next day he was presented as a new PSG player. But he left Camp Nou with Barça owing 51 million euros that he's still not received.
This came as the consequence of the salary cuts caused by the pandemic. Barça paid its players less at that time, but promised to recover what they had lost in later years.
And Messi is waiting for news from Miami. His teammates Busquets and Alba are in the same situation. The same goes for current players such as Frenkie De Jong and Lewandowski. They all accepted the cut on the condition that they could recover it in the future.
These amounts don't represent debt because they are included and provided for in the budget. The club hopes to settle all the cases in 2025.
Barça and Messi Need the Camp Nou Finished
And regarding Leo Messi, Laporta has found a formula to settle the 51-million debt, although a postponement must be negotiated to do so.
Laporta called Messi. He offers to settle the debt, but asking for a postponement.
Laporta's idea is to organize a massive tribute to Messi at the Camp Nou to bid him farewell to soccer... and to Barça fans.
That would be in 2027. Messi will be 40 years old by then and should be either recently retired or thinking about retirement. Barça needs to have the Camp Nou finished and is asking the player for time.
Messi is excited about the idea and has no problem waiting for the Camp Nou to be finished. After all, the Camp Nou is his home and nothing would make him happier than saying farewell there.
The Deal Laporta Proposes to Messi
Unlike the Bernabéu, which can barely hold 80,000 people, Barça would provide Messi with a stadium capable of holding 104,000 spectators. It would be a great retirement.
The deal that Laporta is proposing to Messi is that the first 51 million euros that the match brings in will be his. The rest will be shared equally between him and the club.
Laporta hopes that this very special match will bring in around 200 million euros , from ticket sales, TV rights and merchandising. The deal is more than profitable for both parties.
Messi hasn't yet replied to Laporta's offer. The final decision will be made by his father and the group of lawyers who look after his interests. But he wants it to be that way, and that is how it will be.