New Football Leaks Reveal Barcelona Were Paid To Play These Three Players

In the last week, German publication Der Speigel has brought to light several interesting stories in relation to the football world.

Working with Football Leaks, stories such as Bayern Munich attempting to leave the Bundesliga in 2016 and revelations that secret meetings had been held in relation to a European Super League launching in 2021 have been brought into the public eye.

It has also been claimed that Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain had been allowed to break Financial Fair Play rules, with help from current FIFA president Gianni Infantino while the Italian worked at UEFA.

Now, information concerning Barcelona has been released that relates to three key players.

According to BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone, Barcelona received two cash payments in relation to fielding Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and their former winger Neymar in a pair of friendlies during the summer of 2017.

The La Liga champions participated in the International Champions Cup in the United States, a tournament which featured other global powerhouses such as Juventus, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

However, the two games which have been brought under the spotlight are Barça's clash with Manchester United in Washington and their El Clásico showdown with Real Madrid in Miami.

Apparently, Barcelona would only receive the full payments of $4 million for the United tie and $9.75 million for the Real Madrid game if Messi, Neymar and Suarez all played at least a half of football each in both games.

'MSN' featured in both games, netting the La Liga side nearly $14 million in a week.

Relevant Sports were particularly interested in the clash between the Spanish sides, with harsher stipulations being placed if requirements were not met.

The punishment would have varied depending on the player, with a cut of $750,000 if Messi didn't play, as well as $600,000 and $450,000 for Neymar and Suarez respectively.

If all three failed to play, the deducted fee would be $2 million.

At the time, the South Americans made up arguably the most lethal trio in world football.

Unsurprisingly, 'MSN' managed to have an influence in both games as the now PSG forward Neymar scored the winner against Manchester United in a 1-0 win and Messi scored the opener in a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid.

With the stardom that comes with the modern game, it comes as no shock that lucrative sums are being paid to ensure that some of the world's best are being featured on a global stage.

What have you made about the Football Leaks so far?

Let us know in the comments.

Words by Daniel Marland

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Football, Barcelona

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