Barcelona News: Reports from Spain claim that Gerard Pique‘s contract at Barcelona has a special clause that ensures he earns more salary than Sergio Ramos.
The former Spain International played beside the Real Madrid captain over a long period of time in the national team of Spain. But they were the fierce rival in club football.
Ramos left Real Madrid last year after the Club refused to offer a long-term contract to him, and signed a 2-year deal with Paris Saint Germain with Lionel Messi in the same window.
Reports from Spain claim that Xavi is offering Pique less time on the pitch. Xavi wants to inject fresh blood into the current Barcelona team and sees Pique as a fringe player.
Barcelona News: Pique’s Contract Details
The Champions League-winning defender Pique has become out of favour at Camp Nou. To add to the more trouble, Spanish media El Mundo has leaked the defender’s contract details. The former Manchester United defender signed a huge contract at Barca in 2018, which allowed him to become highest earning central defender in the world.
According to the reports, the Catalan defender earned a gross amount of €142 million (£124m) over the five seasons. After taxes were paid, Pique earned around €15 million every season. On the other side, Ramos was reportedly earning around €12.5 million.
The Barcelona defender signed a contract renewal with the club in October 2020 to help his club by reducing wage bills in the wake of the pandemic.
The Barcelona vice-captain’s wage was increasing every season. According to his previous contract with the club, his gross earning figure was €18 million in the 2020-21 season and would hit its peak at €40.8 million for the final season at the club.
Barcelona tried to reduce the defender’s wage again last month. But the defender failed to reach an agreement with the club. His game time has also reduced this season, as he has made just one start out of the club’s eight matches. He last appeared playing against Cadiz in La Liga. His only Champions League appearance was against Viktoria Plzen.
Lack of Game Time
After the summer arrival of Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen and the rise of young defenders like Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia, Pique has fallen out of favour for Barcelona’s starting XI. Pique has two years remaining on his contract which will expire in 2024.
According to Sport, Barca officials are keen to get rid of paying the defender’s huge wage. They are suggesting the player retire from the game entirely. This act can save Barca €53 million.
The 35-year-old veteran defender is one of the longest-serving Baraca players in the squad who has featured 608 games for the Catalan club.
