BARCELONA
Why Barcelona are paying four Inter Miami players
The Catalan club are still paying Lionel Messi, despite the Argentine playing for Inter Miami.
At the upcoming Assembly of the Board of Directors on October 19, FC Barcelona will present for a vote the closing of the financial year, which shows a net loss of €91 million, along with the proposed budget for the 2024/25 season. The club anticipates a €5 million profit for the upcoming season, with projected revenues of €893 million - €1 million less than last year’s total - and expenses of €873 million.
As previously reported by the club, the commercial sector of the budget has experienced significant growth, increasing from €374 million to €446 million, a €72 million rise. This is largely due to the inclusion of a proportional part of the contractual improvements with Nike, as well as a portion of the renewal bonus and stronger BLM sales. Negotiations with Nike are nearing completion, and the contract with the American brand, which Joan Laporta claims will be the best in global football, is expected to be extended for an additional ten years.
Barcelona still owe money to Messi, Alba, Suárez and Busquets
One notable aspect of the budget is that payments to Inter Miami quartet of Messi, Busquets, Alba, and other players for deferred salaries negotiated during the pandemic will not be made this season. These payments, scheduled for 2025, were already provisioned for in the 2020/21 season and therefore do not affect Barcelona’s current budget, although they do impact cash flow.
Barcelona’s budget also includes just over €6 million from FIFA for Gavi’s injury under the club protection program. Of this, €4.6 million was accounted for in the 2023/24 financial year, covering his injury period until June 30, with the remaining €1.6 million included in the 2024/25 budget, reflecting his sick leave from July 1 until he is medically cleared.
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Additionally, FC Barcelona expects to generate €28 million more in stadium operating income with its return to Spotify Camp Nou, even though the stadium will operate at only 60% capacity for part of the season. This is projected to bring in €154 million for the 2024/25 financial year, compared to the €126 million earned the previous year at the Olympic Stadium Lluís Companys.
In response to the auditor’s concerns about not devaluing the value of Barça Vision in the books, Barcelona defend the decision, confident that they will secure new investors by the end of the year. Some of these investors could come from the club’s current sponsors. With this additional revenue, Barcelona are optimistic about being able to register new signings Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor by December 31.