An experienced FC Barcelona star has revealed he is currently earning wages reserved for someone who "just came from the B team".
Barca's financial struggles since the coronavirus outbreak in 2020 have been well-documented, with the LaLiga outfit having had to make some huge financial decisions over the past few seasons, including selling 49.9% of the club's merchandising company and 25% of their TV rights this year, per Reuters.
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Their economic situation has also affected the players, with the team having to let go of Lionel Messi in 2021, while some of the more experienced players who remained at the Camp Nou had to take sizeable pay cuts that year, including Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Sergi Roberto.
The latter has now revealed he has had to accept a drastic salary reduction in order to stay with the Catalan giants, one he says resembles the wages of a player who has just graduated from La Masia to the first team.
"Right now, I am earning as if I just came from the B team, but I do it with pride because I want to be here," he said, according to Goal.
"I wanted to stay here and now I'm enjoying it. For me, the economic side is not important. Now what I wanted was to enjoy things. One year? Well, then just a year. I wanted to be physically fit again and enjoy myself again.
"I did not have to reduce my salary because my contract ended. We had to negotiate a new one. The captains have also made an [economic] effort.
"Two years ago, we were the only ones who did it. We made the effort but we didn’t want to say anything.”
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Roberto's contract is set to expire at the end of this campaign, but he is confident of extending his stay in Catalonia.
"We haven't started talking yet, but my idea is to stay. From what the coaching staff has said to me, they are very happy and want me to stay," he added.
"I am enjoying football again and I would be very excited to continue. Above all, I have good feelings and I want to be able to enjoy playing in the Barca shirt.”
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