Despite Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba now playing for Inter Miami and no longer being associated with FC Barcelona on the pitch, the Catalan club is still covering their salaries, according to BeInSports. The reason behind this financial obligation is the deferred payments that were agreed upon during the pandemic.

According to Mundo Deportivo, this will be the last season that Barcelona has to fulfil these payments related to the contracts of Messi, Busquets, and Alba, who are now all part of Inter Miami.

While these payments will impact the club's treasury, they will not directly affect the expenses of the current campaign. In the fiscal year 2020-21, all outstanding salaries were recorded, leading to a significant deficit of $516 million. This deficit has hindered Barcelona's ability to comply with La Liga's salary cap regulations, although the club's management has been actively working to regain financial stability.

Since Messi's departure in the summer of 2021, Barcelona has faced numerous challenges in aligning its finances with La Liga's regulations. The Argentine legend left the club after failing to reach an agreement that would allow him to stay within the imposed economic constraints. Meanwhile, Busquets and Alba joined Inter Miami at the end of the 2022-23 season, along with Messi, who also moved to MLS after his stint with Paris Saint-Germain.

As Barcelona navigates this period of financial adjustments, the club continues to seek solutions to meet the 1:1 rule, a crucial goal for stabilizing its operations and ensuring a sustainable future. New investors for Barça Vision, the club's expansion initiative, may arrive before the end of the year, which could further enhance the team's overall economic situation.