Barcelona duo top the list of highest-paid players in La Liga ahead of Kylian Mbappe | OneFootball

FC Barcelona’s unhealthy wage cap had been one of the major topics of concern during Josep Maria Bartomeu’s tenure.

While Joan Laporta’s board’s efforts ensured the Catalans could return to a more sustainable financial model, challenges remain in maintaining long-term fiscal health.

Not the list Barcelona would like to lead

Indeed, Barcelona duo Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong top the list of the highest-paid players in La Liga for the 2024/25 season, according to data from 90Min.

Frenkie de Jong leads with an annual salary of €37.5 million, followed by Robert Lewandowski at €33.5 million.

In fact, they will earn higher salaries in Barcelona than Real Madrid’s blockbuster new signing Kylian Mbappe, who ranks third on the list with a salary of €31.2 million.

Barcelona players earning more than one of the best and biggest names in the world highlights the club’s ongoing struggle with their wage structure.

Photo courtesy: 90Min

It must be noted, however, that De Jong’s astronomical wages also include deferred payments from previous years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he agreed to reduce his salary to help the club navigate financial challenges.

Meanwhile, Lewandowski’s salary has continued to increase year-on-year since signing for Barcelona in 2022.

In his first season, Robert Lewandowski earned €20 million gross. This increased to €26 million last season and has now risen to €33.5 million. For the final year of his contract, Barcelona will reportedly incur a cost of €26 million.

In any case, these numbers do not bode well for Barcelona who are battling to restore financial stability at the club.

Lewandowski and De Jong’s incredibly high wages also explain the club’s initial desire to sell the pair off this summer and search for suitors.

Nonetheless, the Blaugranes are working hard behind the scenes to prevent unnecessary cash leakages, and a return to the 1:1 rule in La Liga appears to be in sight, as testified by Javier Tebas himself.