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Toni Freixa believes Lionel Messi has to accept a pay cut if he wants to stay at Barcelona

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The whole world had a massive shock after Lionel Messi handed a transfer request to Barcelona a few months back. That shocking move came after the Spanish side faced a huge 8-2 setback against the German Bundesliga side Bayern Munich during the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. However, both the sides agreed to another year of extension as Messi continues at the Camp Nou.

At the end of the 2020-21 football season, the argentine football legend is free to join any club without any release clause. And with a slight hint, several biggest clubs like Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Milan were out to chase him. But, the presidential candidate of FC Barcelona, Toni Freixa, has something different on his mind.

Toni Freixa believes Lionel Messi has to accept a pay cut if he wants to stay at Barcelona

While talking about the future contract extension of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Toni Freixa told El Curubito, “With Leo, we will speak calmly, face-to-face with Barcelona’s best at the horizon.” He added, “To him, as to all the players who have to renew or sign, we will make an offer that, of course, will not be feasible to match the terms that he has had until now.”

The club presidential candidate said, “It’s evident, and the members cannot be deceived, that the proposal that will be presented to him will not be the same as the one he has had until now, because income has fallen significantly and it will be necessary to find another formula.” He added, “You don’t have to conquer Messi or convince him with other things.”

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Toni Freixa said, “You have to look him in the eye and talk with him to know what each party wants, what he wants, and what Barcelona want. We think Messi still has a lot of football left to play.” He then further added, “There is no such thing as an apocalypse on the horizon that some have talked about and the world is not ending.”

He also talked about the history of Barcelona and the future plan. Freixa said, “[Barcelona] have 121 years of history and experience. We will move forward. [However, if the signings the other candidates promise] are to happen with Barcelona’s money, I don’t see it so clearly.” He then added, “It would be another thing if they pay from their own pockets.”