Considering its financial situation and the intensity of transfer market activities, Barcelona stands out as one of the clubs that fans closely follow. Despite facing numerous challenges, Barcelona has long been a footballing giant, known for its extravagant spending and high salary expenditures. Naturally, the highest-paid player at the club was none other than Lionel Messi. However, beyond the Argentine star, who were the other notable figures? Were they truly deserving of the salaries they received? Let's take a look at the highest paid player in Barcelona with Wintips right below.
The highest paid player in Barcelona all of the time
1. Lionel Messi (€774,243)
One of the key factors during Messi's time at Nou Camp was the negotiation of his salary. He signed a new two-year contract running until June 2023, with an option to extend for one or two more years. An agreement was eventually reached, and the Argentine superstar agreed to take a pay cut as requested by the club.
Messi's new annual salary is approximately €68 million, according to journalist Tancredi Palmeri of beIN Sports. This figure is post-tax, excluding bonuses for achievements such as winning the Ballon d'Or, La Liga, or the Champions League.
Messi’s income decreased by 28 million euros annually compared to his previous contract, which was set to expire on June 30, 2020, and which included bonuses. However, with his new salary of approximately 70 million euros per year, the Argentine superstar remained the highest-paid player in the world at that time.
2. Frenkie de Jong (€721,154) - The highest paid player in Barcelona
In the summer of 2021, midfielder Frenkie de Jong openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the terms of his contract with Barcelona. Now, with the details of the contract now widely disclosed, the Dutch player has more time to revisit the issue as he recovers from injury.
According to the details of the agreement, De Jong's income will increase over time and will continue for seven years from his arrival in 2019 before stopping. During this period, De Jong's basic salary is set to rise to €18 million this season and will peak at €19 million next season. When he signed the contract, his initial salary was €3 million. In total, his guaranteed earnings are projected to be €86.62 million.
3. Robert Lewandowski (€520,769) - The highest paid player in Barcelona
In the summer of 2022, 34-year-old Polish forward Robert Lewandowski joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich for a transfer fee of £42.5 million. Details of Lewandowski's 'lavish but complex' contract were recently leaked by the Spanish media, revealing intriguing details.
According to the leak, apart from the release clause valued at a nine-figure sum, Lewandowski will receive a salary of €10 million (£8.6 million) in his first season at Barcelona. Lewandowski’s salary at Camp Nou is expected to follow a pattern where the older he gets, the higher his salary becomes. By the time he turns 35, in the second year of his contract with Barcelona, Lewandowski’s salary will increase by €3 million to reach €13 million (£11.2 million).
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4. İlkay Gündoğan (€360,577)
Before Gundogan arrived at Barcelona at the start of the 2023-2024 season, many questioned whether a €9 million annual salary and a three-year contract were justified for a player of his age and experience. However, the German midfielder dispelled all doubts and proved to be a bargain for the Camp Nou outfit. After 38 appearances across all competitions with Blaugrana, Gundogan scored five goals and provided ten assists, the highest in the squad.
He was also the most frequently used player by Xavi, with over 3,000 minutes played. Out of the 100 chances created by the 1990-born midfielder this season, a remarkable 30 came from set-piece situations. Even when considering only chances from open play, Gündoğan ranked second behind his former Man City teammate Phil Foden, with 72 chances created.
5. Antoine Griezmann (€344,842) - The highest paid player in Barcelona
Recently, details of Griezmann's contract with Barcelona were revealed after the forward completed his loan move to Atletico Madrid. According to reports from SPORT, Griezmann's transfer fee several years ago was €120 million. More importantly, the source states that had he stayed at Barca for five seasons, Griezmann's salary would have totaled €95 million before taxes, almost matching his transfer fee.
The reason Griezmann has such an "astronomical" salary is that his contract includes a clause in which his salary increases by €1 million every year. In his first year at Barcelona, Griezmann earned a salary of €17 million. In the second year, his salary increased to €18 million, followed by €19 million in the third year, €20 million in the fourth year, and finally €21 million in the final year of his contract.
6. Jules Kounde (€260,577) - The highest paid player in Barcelona
Although Barcelona has not officially disclosed the transfer fee for Jules Kounde, according to the Cadena SER program Què t'hi Jugues, the fee could reach €62 million, including bonuses. This amount is significantly higher than the previously reported figure. Before Barcelona secured the deal, Sevilla and Chelsea had agreed on a transfer fee of £51 million plus £4 million in bonuses. This brings the total to £55 million, which is approximately €64.7 million (€60 million plus €4.7 million).
In addition to the €50 million fixed fee, Barcelona may have to pay Sevilla up to €12.5 million in bonuses, including €2.5 million per season if he appears in at least 60% of the matches each season. If Koundé completes his five-year contract, the total cost of the transfer would reach €62.5 million.
7. Sergio Busquets (€258,214)
Sergio Busquets, the ultimate defensive midfielder and longtime captain of Barcelona, announced his departure from the club at the end of the 2022 season. At the age of 35, Busquets felt it was time to bid farewell to Camp Nou and part ways with the club he considered 'the club of his life.' This decision marked the end of an era for both Busquets and Barcelona.
Following the departures of Xavi (2016), Iniesta (2018), Messi (2021), and Pique (2022), Busquets is the last remaining member of Barcelona's "golden generation." This legendary group of players famously defeated a formidable Manchester United in the 2011 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium. Both his club coach, Xavi Hernández, and the former head coach of the Spanish national team, Luis Enrique, have expressed their desire for him to continue playing at the highest level.
8. Miralem Pjanic (€251,011) - The highest paid player in Barcelona
In early August, we will sit down with the club's management to decide on the team's personnel situation. I have already made up my mind, and I am 99% certain." This is how Xavi Hernández explained the current situation of the team during his recent appearance on Barcelona's preseason tour in the United States. There are too many players in the squad. Therefore, Barcelona needs to offload several players to balance the team and alleviate their financial difficulties.
Among the many contract situations, one particularly surprising contract is Miralem Pjanic's. Xavi noticed early in the US tour that the Bosnian player was gradually regaining his form. He could secure a place in the new Barça squad if he managed to convince Xavi during pre-season. The Bosnian midfielder has taken full advantage of the opportunity.
9. João Cancelo (€240,385) - The highest paid player in Barcelona
João Cancelo was no longer part of Pep Guardiola's plans. After conflicts with Manchester City’s manager, he was loaned to Bayern Munich before later joining Barcelona on loan. Cancelo quickly adapted and became an indispensable part of Barcelona’s starting lineup. Therefore, Barcelona is planning to permanently sign the former Benfica star at the end of the season.
However, the price tag set by Manchester City poses a significant barrier for Barcelona. According to reports from SPORT, the La Liga champions are unwilling to pay €40 million for this deal. Instead, €25 million is the maximum amount they are willing to offer. Barcelona is facing financial difficulties. Therefore, any further recruitment plans will be carefully considered.
10. Raphinha (€240,385)
In the summer of 2022, Barcelona surprised fans when they finalized a €60 million transfer for Raphinha from Leeds United. Despite facing a financial crisis and fierce competition from Chelsea, the Catalan giants managed to secure his signing.
Reports suggest that to meet Leeds' requirements, Barcelona had proposed paying the fee in installments. This approach was intended to help alleviate the financial burden and give them time to find a suitable financial solution. According to sources from Football Insider, ahead of the January transfer window, Barcelona is expected to transfer £21 million (approximately €24 million) to Leeds' account as part of the deal.
11. Gerard Piqué (€212,542) - The highest paid player in Barcelona
Gerard Piqué decided to retire when the 2022-23 season was only one-third complete, as he no longer found fulfillment in football. During an unusually quiet week for Barcelona, on Thursday afternoon (November 3, local time), without prior warning, rumors, or leaks, Gerard Piqué made a surprise retirement announcement on social media.
Piqué chose to depart midway through his contract, a rare occurrence in football history. At 1.95 meters tall, he was arguably the ideal defender during Barcelona's dominant era under Pep Guardiola and later Luis Enrique. Beyond his impeccable ball control, he also possessed a charismatic personality that stood out both on and off the pitch.
12. Ousmane Dembélé (€210,223) - The highest paid player in Barcelona
Two years ago, the French winger was among Barcelona's highest-paid players. Dembélé earned a fixed salary of €16 million (pre-tax) during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. Additionally, he received an additional €4 million each year through a series of easily attainable bonuses.
In summary, Dembélé is set to earn 20 million euros per season, amounting to 40 million euros over his two years at Camp Nou. By June 30, 2024, Dembélé will become a free agent, and starting January 1, 2024, he will be eligible to negotiate a move to another club. If a club activates his release clause before that time, Dembélé will receive 50% of the fee.
Conclusion
It is evident that after Lionel Messi's departure, Barcelona has significantly lowered its salary cap. The players Barcelona has signed are helping to fill the void left by Messi. Moving forward, Barcelona will certainly attract more star players, earning salaries that reflect their talent. Are you a long-time Barcelona fan? If so, let's hope for the "Giant's" comeback in the upcoming seasons. Of course, Wintips' internet bookmaker ranking website will continuously update more news about Barcelona for fans to read every day. Thank you.
See also: The best players Barcelona all of time - Soccer legends
