Lionel Messi is trapped at Barcelona by financial fair play
Finanical fair play regulations forbid teams from having too high of a deficit.
UEFA’s financial fair play (FFP) regulations were designed to ensure that all competing clubs under its purview would not spend money beyond their means to obtain an unfair sporting advantage or lead their businesses into insolvency.
The FFP rules dictate that teams must “break-even” throughout three years after each annual reporting period. Clubs competing in the Champions League, for example, are allowed a maximum of €30 million in losses over the previous three fiscal years.
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In June, UEFA did announce a relaxation in their break-even rules for 2020 as a result of the pandemic by rolling this year’s reporting period into 2021.
The regulatory body did not change the maximum losses each team can carry and stated that owners must prove that the losses were related to the loss of revenue from the pandemic.
Despite the changes in FFP rules for this fiscal year, teams attempting to sign Lionel Messi are handcuffed by regulations from making it happen without consequences.
The superstars’ current market value, per Transfermarkt, is €112 million, and his wages are reportedly €61 million per year.
So let’s assume that as part of Messi’s divorce agreement, his buyout clause is his current market value and that a prospective suitor would have to pay him at his current salary rate.
I am horrible at math, but I believe that a club would have to spend around €173 million for the privilege of Lionel Messi holding up their jersey at the biggest press conference in football history.
Under FFP rules, can any large club get the 33-year old superstar?