Catalan club Barcelona is still paying salaries to former players Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, who now play for the American team Inter Miami, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The publication states that these players are still included in the team's payroll. Despite having left the club some time ago, Barcelona remains contractually obligated to them due to deferred payments from the COVID-19 pandemic period.
It has been noted that this season Barcelona plans to fully settle their debts to Messi, Busquets, and Alba. The total amount owed was included in the financial statements for the 2020/2021 fiscal year, contributing to losses reported as €481 million.
Messi departed from the club in the summer of 2021 because La Liga regulations prevented him from signing a new contract with Barcelona. Busquets and Alba left as free agents following the 2022/2023 season.
In related news, former Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero has filed a lawsuit against the club for unpaid salary totaling €3 million.