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Barcelona are one of the top teams in world football. Some of the very best players of all time have worn the famous blue and red jersey over the years. While the golden generation consisted of the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carlos Puyol and Lionel Messi, it is time for the new crop of players to carry forward the tradition.
Lionel Messi was the highest-paid player of all time at the club, with the Argentine reportedly earning nearly a million euros a week. His departure has helped ease the wage bill at the club. However, the Blaugrana still have one of the highest annual wage bills (€420 million) in Europe.
Barcelona's wage bill limits their spending in the transfer market
Barcelona's wage bill would've accounted for 110% of their income had they not let go of Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Emerson and Jean-Clair Todibo in the summer.
Now the wages account for 85% of their income. The recent departure of Philippe Coutinho to Aston Villa on loan will certainly help out in further rebalancing the club's finances
On that note, here's a look at the five highest-paid players at Barcelona right now.
(Note: All wages as sourced from Sillyseason)
#5 Ousmane Dembele - €252,490 per week
It would not be an understatement to say that Ousmane Dembele has failed to live up to the massive €110 million transfer fee paid by the Blaugrana for him in 2017. The former Borussia Dortmund winger has found the back of the net just 18 times in La Liga in four and a half seasons so far.
Injuries have played a huge role in limiting his game time at the club, but his work ethic has also been questionable during his spell with the Blaugrana. He has shown signs of improvement this season, though, as he had a good outing in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final against Real Madrid.
Dembele has not been able to agree a new deal with the club, and is set to become a free agent in the summer.
#4 Gerard Pique - €252,490 per week
Gerard Pique was once counted among the best defenders in the world, and his trophy cabinet certainly reflects the same. In his 13 years of association with the club, he has won 30 trophies, including two continental trebles.
Pique reportedly took a huge pay cut at the beginning of the campaign. That means he's no longer the best-paid player at Barcelona now.
#3 Memphis Depay - €275,668 per week
Barcelona's summer signing Memphis Depay might've got off to a good start at the club, but he has slowed down since then. Nonetheless, he is their top scorer this season, scoring more than twice the number of goals scored by any other Blaugrana player in La Liga.
He arrived on a free transfer from Lyon in the summer, and reportedly took a wage cut. His goalscoring prowess has made him a key part of the Netherlands national team, but he has not been able to replicate the same with his new club. In 23 games across competitions, he has bagged eight goals and two assists.
#2 Sergio Busquets - €308,866 per week
Sergio Busquets has always been overlooked throughout his career. Nevertheless, the La Masia graduate has been a loyal servant to the Blaugrana for more than a decade, and continues to be a key part of the current squad as well.
He is the senior-most player in the squad alongside Pique at the moment. Apart from putting in solid performances on the field, he is also expected to inspire the young players off the pitch.
No player has clocked more minutes (1676) in the 2021-22 La Liga for the club than the midfielder. Busquets has missed just one of 20 league games this season. He also leads the club in tackles (2.3 per game).
He was one of the few players to take a wage cut in the summer to allow for new signings to be registered by the club. However, he's yet to agree a new contract, with his current deal expiring next summer.
#1 Frenkie De Jong - €423,792 per week
Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong has proven to be one of the few successful signings for the club in recent years. However, the former Ajax star didn't come cheap. Barca had to shell out €75 million for him following his breakout season in 2018-19.
His technical abilities make him a key player for the club, and he has managed to flourish under all managers he has played under so far. The player's contract runs out in 2026, so it is possible for the 24-year-old's wage to increase further.
