Lionel Messi is currently without a club, after his contract with Barcelona, which expires on June 30, 2021, was not renewed. Status without a club allows Lionel Messi to negotiate with any club.
However, the president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, is optimistic that Lionel Messi will extend his contract after returning to defend the Argentine National Team in the 2021 Copa America. Even so, what is actually preventing Lionel Messi from extending his contract with Barcelona?
Here are 4 reasons why Lionel Messi refused to extend his contract at Barcelona:
4. Tax Issues and Deferred Payments
The question of how much tax Lionel Messi has to pay, has not been explained in detail by the Barcelona Board of Directors. Lionel Messi does not want to sign a contract before the above problems are completely resolved by management.
One more thing, Lionel Messi’s salary payments in the last few months are still in arrears. The certainty of payment of the remaining salary is what Lionel Messi continues to ask for.
3. Still about Debt
Just like the points above, Lionel Messi’s camp asked the management to include a clause on the rest of the salary that has not been paid. If management does not want to include this clause, the negotiations will continue to be tough.
2. Refuse Pay Deductions
Lionel Messi receives 71 million euros per year. La Pulga does not want to experience a pay cut, regardless of the Covid-19 pandemic or after. This condition makes it difficult for Barcelona.
Barcelona’s finances are in disarray in times like today. At the same time, Lionel Messi, who is the highest-paid player in the world, even refuses to have his salary cut.
1. Competitive Sports Project
Lionel Messi asks Barcelona management to seriously improve, one of which is by bringing in top players in the 2021 summer transfer market. So far, Barcelona have landed four players, namely Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay, Emerson Royal and Eric Garcia.
However, Lionel Messi sees there is still something missing. Barcelona must bring in a number of additional star players this summer, in order to compete in the path of winning the Spanish League and Champions League 2021-2022.
So, through the struggles of Barcelona’s management, will Lionel Messi be willing to extend the contract?
