Lionel Messi: Stop The Lies, FC Barcelona Stars Agreed To Massive Pay Cut

FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has once again hit back at "people from within the club" before revealing the squad have agreed to take a massive pay cut.

It had been reported that Barca's players and the board clashed over a proposed salary cut during the coronavirus-enforced National State of Emergency in Spain.

Barcelona had earlier announced that the club has to take measures in line with Spain's temporary redundancy scheme (ERTE), and it was claimed the players never agreed to a salary reduction.

Messi has now insisted that the first-team squad agreed to a 70% salary reduction, and will also "make contributions so that club employees can collect 100% of their salary while the situation lasts".

"It is time to confirm that, as well as the 70% reduction in our salaries during the state of emergency, we are going to make contributions too so that club employees can receive 100% of their salaries while this situation lasts," a statement from the Argentine, posted on Instagram, read.

"Our wish has always been to take a pay reduction, because we understand perfectly that this is an exceptional situation. That is why it has surprised us that within the club people have tried to put us under scrutiny and put pressure on us to do something we were always going to carry out.

"This has only taken time as we tried to find a formula to help the club and also its workers in this difficult time. We only want to find the solutions for the club."

Barca are said to be in a financially tricky situation, with about 80% of their budget being allocated for staff salaries.

10) Jordi Alba – £100 000 a week

9) Ivan Rakitic – £150 000 a week

8) Arturo Vidal – £165 000 a week

7) Gerard Pique – £165 000 a week

6) Sergio Busquets – £180 000 a week

5) Ousmane Dembele – £220 000 a week

4) Philippe Coutinho – £240 000 (on loan at Bayern Munich) a week

3) Luis Suarez – £290 000 a week

2) Antoine Griezmann – £294 000 a week

1) Lionel Messi – £500 000 a week

The club have since confirmed the pay reduction has been agreed and would be actioned immediately.

"In relation to the first team, the reduction will be more than the 70% initially proposed by the club," reads a statement on the club's official website.

"That additional contribution from the squad…allows us to guarantee the full salaries of all non-sporting staff."

Other clubs such Atletico Madrid and Espanyol have also declared an ERTE to reduce running costs amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.