Lionel Messi has said Barcelona’s players are “surprised” that people inside the club would want to pressure them into taking wage cuts and confirmed the squad are happy to take a 70% hit on their salaries due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Messi also revealed that the players would make a contribution so that none of the club’s non-sporting staff would not be paid during the State of Alarm, which has been in place in Spain since March 12.
The Argentina international forward made the comments in a statement on social media in the name of the first team players. Other members of the squad shared it later.
“We want to clarify that our desire has always been for a reduction to applied to the salaries that we receive because we understand that this is an exceptional situation and we are the first that have ALWAYS helped the club with what they have asked of us,” the statement said.
“Many times we have even done things on our own accord, at moments when we felt it necessary or important to do so.
“For that reason, it surprises us that from inside the club there would be people that want to put us under a magnifying glass or try to pressure us into something that we were always clear we wanted to do. In fact, if the agreement has dragged on it’s because we were looking for a formula to help the club and its workers in these difficult times.
“For our part, the moment has arrived to announce that, aside from the 70% wage cut during the State of Emergency, we are going to also make contributions so that all the club’s employees can earn 100% of their salaries for as long as this situation lasts.”