Lionel Messi could be asked to take pay cut by Barcelona chief

- Lionel Messi will be asked to reduce his weekly wages this season

- Barcelona have been hit badly by the deadly coronavirus and they are looking to cut the wages of their players

- Messi will represent his colleagues in a meeting with the board in the coming days

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed!

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi might be advised by the club president to reduce his weekly wages in his last season at the Camp Nou.

The 33-year-old has suspended his quest to leave the Catalans for the first time in close to 20 years this summer.

He was said to have served the club's chief his transfer request - although, that has been put on hold until his contract expires.

However, the incumbent president is planning to have a one-on-one meeting with the Argentine and one of the focus will be to ask their captain to take a pay cut for the 2020-21 season.

Former Real Madrid star reveals how Mourinho almost 'killed' Ronaldo despite scoring a hat-trick

PAY ATTENTION: Become a member of the leading sports Facebook group 'Naija Football Fan Zone'

This is in line with Barca's plans to cut down on their expenses as they also chase for the Spanish League title at the end of the campaign as reported by Caughtoffside.com.

The Blaugrana are faced with economic hardship after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year. The club is in desperate need of cutting their wage bill.

According to the Express via Football Leaks, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner takes home about £988,000 weekly at the club. And this staggering amount does not include bonuses or image rights fees.

Messi will be representing his colleagues in a meeting, as the 33-year-old won’t be the only player to be encouraged to accept a wage cut.

Though the Argentine has been critical of the club's financial recklessness in recent times, he might be urged to accept the pay cut to keep the club afloat.

Jose Mourinho makes stunning statement about Lampard after win against Wolves

Messi decided to stay back at Barcelona in a bid to avoid a legal battle with the club that has given him virtually everything he has as a footballer.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Lionel Messi can begin to discuss his future with another club from January 2021, to avoid leaving Barcelona as a free agent, reports in Spain claim.

The Barca captain decided to see out the remainder of his contract at Camp Nou, but with the way things are going the 33-year-old may need to have a discussion with Man City in January.

Cristiano Ronaldo's situation at Juventus may have played a huge role in Messi's case because the Portuguese star is in his final two years with the Turin club and he must be sold next year in case he wishes to leave, Dario Gol claim.

How we mistakenly celebrated Yakubu’s miss at 2010 World Cup – Brown Ideye | Legit TV

Jubilation at Camp Nou as Barcelona fast-track Messi and Suarez's return to action