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Barcelona are one of the biggest clubs in world football and it is no surprise that their first team stars are paid really well. Filled with stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta, the wage bill of the Blaugrana is almost as high as the entire transfer budget of some small clubs in Europe.
This season, having signed some marquee players like Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho, the wage bill has only gone up. While most of the wages are on expected lines, there are some surprising cases where the players are paid much more or much less than what we expected.
Without further ado, let us take a look at the weekly wages of 20 Barcelona first team stars:
#20 Jasper Cillessen (Goalkeeper) - £55,000/week
A very good goalkeeper in his own right, Jasper Cillessen is the second choice goalkeeper behind Marc-Andre ter Stegen at Barcelona. The Netherlands international has made only 7 appearances this season, but Ernesto Valverde knows that he has a solid backup goalkeeper who he can rely upon in cup competitions like Copa Del Rey.
#19 Lucas Digne (Left-back) - £55,000/week
Talented French left-back, Lucas Digne, has struggled to break into the Barcelona first team and displace the very impressive Jordi Alba. Having made only 11 appearances this season, Digne will be hoping to get more opportunities in the coming days.
Capable of contributing both defensively and offensively, Digne put in impressive performances in the recent matches against Espanyol and Alaves.
#18 Aleix Vidal (Right-back) - £60,000/week
Another squad player at Barcelona, Aleix Vidal is often brought on as a substitute by Ernesto Valverde to see out games and provide some rotation to the regular first-team stars. Having made a comeback after a horrific injury last season, Vidal's finest moment this campaign was probably when he scored a goal against Real Madrid in the El Clasico.
#17 Denis Suarez (Attacking Midfielder) - £60,00
Signed by Barcelona in 2016, Denis Suarez was originally earmarked to be a long-term replacement for Andres Iniesta. However, the Spanish international has struggled to really impress and cement a place in the first team. With the arrivals of Dembele and Coutinho, his opportunities are set to reduce and Denis Suarez might be on his way out at the end of this season.
Denis Suarez definitely has the potential to become a world-class playmaker in the future.
#16 Sergi Roberto (Right-back) - £70,000/week
One of the most versatile and under-rated players in the Barcelona side, Sergi Roberto has put in some very impressive performances this season. Capable of playing as a right-back, on the wings or even as a central midfielder, the La Masia product has been extremely consistent and has already made 24 appearances this season.
Having recently signed a new contract, Roberto will be keen to build on his good performances and cement his legacy at Barcelona.
#15 Nelson Semedo (Right-back) - £75,000/week
Having arrived at Barcelona from Benfica in the summer transfer window, Nelson Semedo has had a mixed start to his Barcelona career. Extremely good in some matches, the Portuguese international has shared his right-back duties with Sergi Roberto. Still only 24, Semedo will be confident on building up his form and finishing the season strongly.
Semedo definitely has the skills to become a huge success at Barcelona.
#14 Samuel Umtiti (Centre-back) - £75,000/week
One of the best young centre-backs in world football at the moment, Samuel Umtiti has quickly grown to become an integral part of this impressive Barcelona side. The French international has been rock solid at the back and his excellent ball-playing skills coupled with his positioning and tackling abilities make him one of the most complete defenders in the Spanish league.
#13 Andre Gomes (Central midfielder) - £80,000/week
Signed amid great hype and fanfare from Valencia last season, Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes has struggled to live up to his reputation. The midfielder has mostly been used as a substitute this season and although he has been consistent, he has failed to nail down a regular place in the starting XI.
#12 Paco Alcacer (Striker) - £90,000/week
When you are competing with the likes of Luis Suarez for a starting spot, it is pretty tough to get regular playing opportunities and this is evidenced by the fact that Paco Alcacer has managed only 10 official appearances this season.
The 24-year-old Spaniard has been fairly impressive whenever he has made an appearance, but the fact that he earns more than the likes of Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti is slightly surprising.
#11 Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Goalkeeper) - £90,000/week
One of the best goalkeepers in world football at the moment, Marc Andre ter Stegen has been in sublime form for Ernesto Valverde's side this season. Having improved his distribution considerably, the German star has often been a reassuring presence at the back and has marshalled his defence superbly.
With Neuer still recovering from a long-term injury, Ter Stegen will definitely be pushing for a starting spot in the German team at the 2018 Russia World Cup.
#10 Jordi Alba (Left-back) - £100,000
While the sale of Neymar caused a lot of Barcelona fans heartburn, the one player who has perhaps benefited the most is Jordi Alba. Given the freedom to make his trademark barnstorming runs down the left, the Spaniard has formed an excellent understanding with Messi this season.
Having made 25 appearances and already contributed 6 assists, Alba has been excellent for Barcelona both as an attacking and defensive outlet.
#9 Paulinho (Central midfielder) - £120,000/week
Probably the biggest surprise of the Barcelona side this season, Paulinho has taken La Liga by storm with his impressive and match-winning performances. Adding physicality and dynamism to the Blaugrana midfield, Paulinho has quickly become a fan favourite at the Camp Nou.
The Brazilian will be hoping to continue his dream start and finish the season strongly for the Spanish giants.
#8 Ivan Rakitic (Central midfielder) - £130,000/week
One of Barcelona's most consistent performers, Ivan Rakitic has been integral to Barcelona's dominance this season. Capable of picking out accurate through-balls and tracking back tirelessly, the Croatian has been the glue which holds the side together.
A midfielder who always gives his 100%, Rakitic certainly deserves the handsome weekly wages he earns at Barcelona.
#7 Andres Iniesta (Central Midfielder) - £165,000/week
A true Barcelona legend, club captain Andres Iniesta has rediscovered something close to his best form this season. Supremely skilled on the ball and always keeping things ticking, the 33-year-old Spanish superstar might be coming to the end of his long and glorious career, but he still remains one of the most important and integral members of this side.
#6 Gerard Pique (Centre-back) - £165,000/week
Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique is quite understandably one of the highest earners in Ernesto Valverde's squad. One of the first names on the team sheet, the proud Catalan defender has been absolutely immense at the back this season and he will be hoping to finish the season strongly and win some more major honours with his childhood team.
#5 Sergio Busquets (Defensive Midfielder) - £180,000/week
The likes of Messi and Suarez always grab all the headlines, however, the player who is perhaps most vital for their unique system to work is Sergio Busquets. The Spaniard often does the dirty work in the middle of the park without which Barcelona cannot play the beautiful football they are renowned for.
In spite of the rivalry and one incidence of a red card earned due to Busquets' play-acting, this is what Sergio Ramos had to say about him: "There are a number of players I like, but the one we perhaps need is Busquets,"
Busquets is probably the most underrated player of this generation, but his importance to the Barca side can be seen by the fact that he earns more than the likes of Iniesta and Rakitic.
#4 Ousmane Dembele (Winger) - £220,000/week
Bought for huge money from Borussia Dortmund as a potential replacement for Neymar, Ousmane Dembele has had terrible luck with injuries this season and has only made 7 official appearances for the club so far.
While the young Frenchman has not done much to justify his high wages, Dembele undoubtedly has the potential to become one of the biggest names in world football in the future.
#3 Philippe Coutinho (Attacking midfielder) - £240,000/week
Having arrived from Liverpool in the January transfer window, Barcelona's new number 14 will be looking to work his magic in the Spanish league. Capable of playing on the left, right or in midfield, the Brazilian has been tipped to be a long-term successor for Andres Iniesta.
The high transfer fees paid show that Barcelona are expecting great things from the 25-year-old superstar.
#2 Luis Suarez (Striker) - £290,000/week
One of the most lethal strikers of this generation, it comes as no surprise that the Uruguayan sharpshooter is the second highest paid player in the Barcelona squad. Having started the season slowly, Suarez has slowly rediscovered his best form and has already scored 16 goals in 18 appearances.
Suarez is peaking at just the right time for Barcelona and Ernesto Valverde will be pleased with the performances of his 'number 9' since the start of 2018.
#1 Lionel Messi (Winger) - £500,000/week
Was there ever any doubt as to who would head this list? Barcelona's talisman and undoubtedly one of the greatest players to ever play the game, Messi earns a monumental £500,000/week for his stunning performances week in and week out.
Having only taken his game to new heights this season, Messi certainly deserves every penny of his exorbitant salary.
Source ( TotalSportek.com and Sport.es via Express)
