Explained: Why Barcelona will continue to pay Lionel Messi's wages until 2025

Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed that the club is still indebted to Lionel Messi and will continue to pay his wages for the next two years.

This might be surprising considering the fact that Messi is no longer a Barcelona player and in fact, turned down a return to Camp Nou in favour of an exit from European football, joining MLS side Inter Miami.

In an interview with Spanish radio’s Cadena SER, Laporta gave an honest assessment of the Messi situation.

The Barca president said: "We have outstanding payments to Messi until 2025. What is owed to him is the deferral of the wage bill that was agreed with the previous board and that produces outstanding payments that end in 2025. He is paid religiously."

Barcelona's financial struggles have been well documented and over recent seasons, several players have had to take wage cuts to enable the club to comply with LaLiga's financial rules.

Messi, himself, was forced to join PSG in 2021 because the club could not register him to a new contract. After two years in France, the World Cup winner has moved to the MLS where he is believed to have agreed a two-year deal worth around $70m a year.

The Argentine superstar's first game for Inter Miami could come against Cruz Azul on July 21.