As Barcelona fans know extremely well, the club is never far away from drama as another episode emerged regarding Lionel Messi and the Blaugrana board over the wage reductions.
Both the club captain and the Catalan giants confirmed that the first-team players have accepted a 70 percent reduction during this State of Alarm due to La Liga’s coronavirus suspension. This move was taken to help the non-sporting staff earn their wages despite the lack of Matchday and streaming revenues.
However, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner hit out at the higher-ups on social media, accusing them of attacking the players and mounting unneeded pressure to accept wage reductions. There had been rumors that the players were not willing to accept salary cuts, forcing Leo to say:
“We cannot help but be surprised by the fact that from within the club there are those trying to put us under the microscope or apply pressure for us to do something that we have always been clear that we would do.
“In fact, if an agreement has taken a few days to be reached it is simply because we were seeking a formula to help the club and also to help its employees in these very difficult times.”
However, president Bartomeu has moved to clear up the air, claiming that the Argentine ace never rejected this move. Speaking to Sport, the Barcelona official went into damage control, saying:
"Messi told me from day one that this reduction had to be made.
"This proposal came from the captains. It is a gesture that demonstrates their commitment to the club."
Regarding the scrutiny the players came under during the negotiations, which Messi stated came from within the club, Bartomeu offered his thoughts on why this occurred.
"Perhaps [the players] have been frustrated by things said by people inside and outside the club, who do not have all the information.
"But the negotiations were carried out only by Oscar Grau and me and we have not said anything."
This was an understandable move from the club president. This was the second time that the influential Argentine took to social media to hit at the board as their talisman forward appears more and more frustrated with the leadership.
