As is known, Barcelona failed to extend the contract of the superstar after tripping over the rules of Financial Fair Play (FFP). Messi's big salary makes Barcelona unable to register him for the 2021-2022 Spanish League because the Blaugrana - Barcelona's nickname - has touched the maximum salary limit now.
In a press conference at Camp Nou on Sunday (8/8/2021), Messi said that Barcelona's offer of a 30 percent salary reduction was a lie. He said he had offered a salary reduction of up to 50 percent in order to extend his contract.
Lionel Messi has denied reports that Barcelona had asked him to cut his salary by 30 percent. The Argentine confirmed that he was the one who offered a pay cut of up to 50 percent.
"The news about Barca and (Joan) Laporta asking me for a 30 percent salary reduction on Thursday (5/8/2021) is completely false. It's a lie," said Messi, quoted from the tweet of senior sports journalist, Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano), Sunday (8/8/2021).
"I offered to reduce my salary by 50 percent, and then they (Barcelona) didn't ask for anything more," he added.
That way, the news about Messi's salary has been answered. However, the rice has turned into porridge, it is certain that Messi will not be in Barcelona's uniform next season.
Currently, he is strongly rumored to be soon joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Reportedly, Messi will be contracted for three years with Les Parisiens - PSG's nickname.
If he joins PSG, Messi will be reunited with his friend and former colleague at Barcelona, Neymar Jr. Besides Neymar, Messi will also play with his compatriot, Angel Di Maria, at PSG.