Gerard Pique insists that all Barcelona captains are ready to sacrifice through wages cutting. Barcelona is experiencing a financial crisis due to poor management of the previous president, Josep Maria Bartomeu.
The Covid-19 pandemic has also contributed to the club’s poor financial condition. The financial crisis also made Barcelona have to cut the salaries of a number of players so that the club’s balance sheet improves. The crisis experienced by Barca had made them almost not able to register new players in the 2021-2022 Spanish League. This is because of LaLiga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
The Blaugrana recently could barely register Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia in the Spanish League. However, the two new Barca players were finally able to be registered after Gerard Pique was willing to make salary adjustments.
Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia have already played for Barcelona against Real Sociedad in the inaugural week of the 2021-2022 Spanish League, 16/8/2021. The Blaugrana managed to win 4-2 over Real Sociedad in the match that took place at the Camp Nou.
Returning Pique’s favor, Depay provided the assist for the second Barca captain for Barca’s first goal in the 19th minute. The other Barca hat-tricks were scored by Martin Braithwaite (45+2′, 59′) and Sergi Roberto (90+1′).
After the game, Pique commented on his pay cut. The 34-year-old said that he was not the only one willing to cut his salary. He emphasized that all Barca captains, namely Sergio Busquets (captain 1), Sergi Roberto (3) and Jordi Alba (4) are ready to do the same for the team.
“I would like to emphasize that we have been in contact with other captains regarding a pay cut. I know they will soon take the same steps, it’s only a matter of time. I had to be the first to do it quickly, because of registration problems,” Pique said of his pay cut which opened the door for Depay and Garcia’s registration.
“We are a family, we are all together, the captains all have the intention from the first moment to adapt to what the club needs. That’s the decision we took and we are proud of it,” said the La Masia dropout.
Gerard Pique then responded to the actions of Barca fans who mocked Jordi Alba in the middle of the match against Real Sociedad. Alba was ridiculed because fans heard reports that the player was reluctant to lower his salary. This was denied by Pique. He said that the news was a misunderstanding.
“Sometimes there are misunderstandings. I’ve spoken with Sergi, Busi and Jordi, and we’re all aligned to try to reach an agreement,” Pique said. “With a few hours left before the league starts they need someone to formalize it in order to register new players but I know others will too.”
Barcelona is currently negotiating with other captains in order to continue to improve the club’s finances. A pay cut is also still needed because Sergio Aguero, who is currently injured, has not been registered.
