This Star’s Reunion With Lionel Messi At Barcelona Could See Him Suffer Pay Cut Of $32M: Report

Neymar could reportedly suffer a pay cut of at least $32 million if he moved to Barcelona from his current club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) due to COVID-19, which has had a financial impact on various big European clubs including the Catalans.

The Brazilian forward currently earns 54 million per season including a sponsorship deal with the National Bank of Qatar at PSG but Barca can afford to offer him only $22m per season, as reported by Spain’s Mundo Deportivo. Last year, when Barca approached PSG to re-sign Neymar, the soccer player had agreed to a pay cut in order to return to Nou Camp, where he had spent four glorious seasons alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. However, this time around, the pay cut is going to be more because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Neymar’s move to PSG in the middle of the 2017 pre-season had attracted several critical comments from fans and a few teammates stating that Neymar chose money over his loyalty towards Barcelona. But, within a few months of shifting to France, the Brazilian had begun to have regrets about leaving Barcelona.

In most of the cases of soccer players with five-year contracts, the third year is crucial as it usually marks the turning point: either they want to renew their contract or part ways with the club and Neymar falls in the second category here.

The 28-year-old Neymar is also aware that this might be his last shot at reuniting with his previous teammates at Nou Camp, considering the club elections are expected to be held early next year. The current club president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, has been in favor of recalling him as he recognized Neymar’s talent and sees him as a marketing icon, but if he loses the polls in 2021, he could be replaced by someone, who could reject the idea of bringing Neymar back to Barcelona.

Neymar, who played for Barcelona between 2013 and 2017, helped the Spanish giants to win eight titles as he scored 105 goals in 186 matches for the club, across competitions.