Considering the financial aspect and the intense transfer market activities, Barcelona stands out as one of the names that fans look up to. Despite facing many challenges, Barcelona has been a true giant in the past with extravagant spending and high salary expenditures. Naturally, the highest-paid name at the club has been none other than Lionel Messi. However, beyond the Argentine star, who are the other notable figures? Are they deserving of the salaries they receive? Let's take a look at the Top 12 highest paid player in Barcelona with Wintips right below.
The highest paid player in Barcelona all of time
1. Lionel Messi (€774,243)
In the past, during his time at Nou Camp, the most important factor was negotiating Messi's salary in a new 2-year contract (until June 2023) with an option to extend for an additional 1 to 2 years, and an agreement was reached when the Argentine superstar also agreed to reduce his salary as requested by Barcelona.
Messi's new salary is about 68 million euros per year, as reported by journalist Tancredi Palmeri (beIN Sports channel), and this is the post-tax salary, not including additional bonuses such as winning the Ballon d'Or, La Liga, or the Champions League...
This income for Messi decreased by 28 million euros per year compared to the previous contract, which was set to expire on June 30, 2020, including bonuses. However, with the new salary of approximately 70 million euros per year, this Argentine superstar remained the highest-paid player in the world at that time.
2. Frenkie de Jong (€721,154) - Highest paid player in Barcelona
In the summer of 2021, midfielder Frenkie de Jong publicly stated that he was not satisfied with the terms of his contract with Barcelona. Now, with the details of the contract being widely disclosed, the Dutch player will have more time to address the issue once again as he recovers from injury.
According to the details of the agreement, De Jong's income will increase progressively over time, and the progression will stop after 7 years from his arrival in 2019. During that period, De Jong's basic salary has risen to 18 million euros this season and will reach a maximum of 19 million euros next season. When he started the contract, the starting price was 3 million euros. In total, his minimum income will be 86.62 million euros.
3. Robert Lewandowski (€520,769) - Highest paid player in Barcelona
In the summer transfer window of 2022, 34-year-old Polish forward Robert Lewandowski completed his move to Barcelona from Bayern Munich for a transfer fee of £42.5 million. Details of Lewandowski's "lavish but complex" contract have recently been leaked by the Spanish media with many intriguing pieces of information.
According to the leak, apart from the release clause valued at "9 figures," Lewandowski will receive a salary of €10 million (£8.6 million) in his first year at Barca. Lewy's salary at Camp Nou is expected to increase in a "the older, the higher the salary" fashion. At 35 years old, which is the second year of his contract with Barca, Lewandowski's salary will increase by €3 million to €13 million (£11.2 million).
4. İlkay Gündoğan (€360,577)
Before arriving at Barca at the start of the 2023-2024 season, there were quite a few doubts about the €9 million annual salary and the 3-year contract for a 33-year-old player like Gundogan. However, the German midfielder dispelled all doubts and proved himself to be a bargain for the Camp Nou outfit. After 38 appearances across all competitions with Blaugrana, Gundogan scored 5 goals and provided 10 assists (the most in the team).
He was also the most utilized player by Xavi, with over 3,000 minutes played on the field. Out of the 100 chances created by the midfielder born in 1990 this season, a remarkable 30 came from set-piece situations. Even when considering only chances created from open play situations, Gundogan ranked second only to his former Man City teammate Phil Foden with 72 chances created.
5. Antoine Griezmann (€344,842) - Highest paid player in Barcelona
Recently, details of Griezmann's contract with the Camp Nou outfit have been revealed after the forward completed his loan move to Atletico Madrid. According to reports from SPORT, Griezmann's transfer fee from years ago was €120 million. More importantly, the source states that Griezmann's salary after 5 seasons if he were to stay at Barca would total €95 million before taxes, nearly equal to the transfer fee.
The reason Griezmann has such an "astronomical" salary is because the contract includes a clause where his salary increases by €1 million after each year. In his first year at Barca, Griezmann had a salary of €17 million. But in the second year, that salary will increase to €18 million, then to €19 million in the third year, €20 million in the fourth year, and finally €21 million in the last year.
6. Jules Kounde (€260,577) - Highest paid player in Barcelona
Although Barcelona has not officially disclosed the transfer fee for Jules Kounde, according to "Què t'hi Jugues" of Cadena SER, the fee could reach €62 million, including bonuses. This amount is significantly higher than the information circulated in recent weeks. Before Barcelona's success, the agreement between Sevilla and Chelsea was concluded with the English club having to pay £51 million plus £4 million in bonuses. Totaling £55 million, equivalent to about €64.7 million (€60 plus €4.7).
In addition to the €50 million fixed fee, Barcelona may have to pay Sevilla an additional €12.5 million in bonuses, including €2.5 million per season if the player plays 60% of the matches. If Kounde completes a 5-year contract, the defender will be valued at €62.5 million.
7. Sergio Busquets (€258,214)
Sergio Busquets, the epitome of a midfielder and longtime captain of Barcelona, has announced his departure from the club at the end of the 2022 season. At the age of 35, Busquets believes it is time to bid farewell to Camp Nou and leave behind the club he considers "the club of his life." This decision marks 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 player of the "golden generation" of Barcelona. The group of players who defeated a formidable Manchester United in 2011 at Wembley Stadium. Both his club coach, Xavi Hernández, and former Spain national team coach, Luis Enrique, have expressed their desire for him to continue playing at the highest level.
8. Miralem Pjanic (€251,011) - Highest paid player in Barcelona
"In early August, we will sit down with the leadership to decide on the team's personnel situation. I have already made my decision 99%." This is how Xavi Hernández explained the current situation of the team during the recent appearance in the tour in the United States. It is clear that there are too many players. And Barca needs to push some out to balance the squad and to raise some money to address the financial crisis.
Among many issues, there is one surprising contract, that of Miralem Pjanic. Xavi noticed from the beginning of the US tour that the Bosnian player has gradually regained his form. He could become part of the new Barça if he convinces Xavi during the pre-season. The Bosnian striker has made good use of the opportunity.
9. João Cancelo (€240,385) - Highest paid player in Barcelona
Joao Cancelo is no longer part of Pep Guardiola's plans. After conflicts with the Spanish manager, he moved to Bayern Munich before joining Barcelona on loan. Here, Cancelo quickly showed adaptability and became an indispensable part of the Catalan giant's lineup. Therefore, Barcelona planned to make the former Benfica star's loan deal permanent at the end of the season.
However, the price tag set by Man City is posing a significant barrier for Barcelona. According to sources from SPORT, the La Liga champions are not willing to pay €40 million for this deal. Instead, €25 million is the final figure they can offer. Barcelona is currently facing financial difficulties. Therefore, any additional personnel plans will be carefully considered.
10. Raphinha (€240,385)
In the summer of 2022, Barcelona surprised fans when they successfully finalized a €60 million deal for Raphinha from Leeds United. Despite facing financial crisis and fierce competition from Chelsea, the Catalan giants managed to seal the deal.
It is understood that to meet Leeds' requirements, Barcelona proposed to pay the fee in installments. This approach would help alleviate the financial burden and allow them time to find a suitable solution. According to sources from Football Insider, before the January transfer window opens, Barcelona will have to transfer £21 million (equivalent to €24 million) to Leeds' account as per the agreement.
11. Gerard Piqué (€212,542) - Highest paid player in Barcelona
Gerard Pique made the decision to retire when the 2022-23 season had just passed one-third of its journey, as football no longer brought him fulfillment. In a strangely quiet week for Barcelona, on Thursday afternoon (November 3, local time), without any warning, rumors, or leaks, Gerard Pique took to social media to announce his retirement.
Pique chose to depart midway through, with very few precedents. Standing at 1.95 meters tall, Pique was perhaps the perfect defender for the era of dominance under Pep Guardiola (and later Luis Enrique). Alongside his impeccable ball control, his personality shone both on and off the pitch.
12. Ousmane Dembélé (€210,223) - Highest paid player in Barcelona
Two years ago, the French winger was one of the highest-paid players at Barca. Dembele earned a fixed salary of 16 million euros (pre-tax) for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. Additionally, he received an extra 4 million euros each year for various easily achievable bonuses.
In summary, Dembele could earn 20 million euros per season, totaling 40 million euros over his two years at Nou Camp. As of June 30, 2024, Dembele will become a free agent, and starting from January 1 of that year, he is allowed to negotiate to move to another club. If before that time a club pays the contract termination clause, Dembele will pocket 50% of the amount.
Conclude
It can be seen that after Lionel Messi's departure, Barcelona's salary cap has been significantly reduced. The stars that the Nou Camp team has brought in are partly filling the void left by Messi's influence. In the future, there will certainly be other stars coming to this La Liga club and receiving deserving salaries. 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
