Gerard Pique has taken a pay cut to help Barcelona register Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia.
The club are grateful to the Catalan defender for his leadership and willingness to accept a new deal. The other captains will likely follow suit, but Pique is the first.
Barca will extend his deal by a year, to June 2025. That will spread the money he is owed further, while he also has taken a reduction in terms.
At 34, Pique is still setting examples, even though we don’t know how much longer he will be in the first team. After the 8-2 defeat by Bayern, he himself offered to leave if the club thought it was right.
Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Rey Manaj have been registered to play for Barcelona this season, a day before the league season kicks off.
The Catalans confirmed the news on Saturday, noting it was made possible by Gerard Pique taking a ‘significant’ pay cut.
“This has been made possible thanks to an agreement with Gerard Piqué whereby the Barça second captain’s salary has been substantially reduced,” explained Barcelona.
“This means that all of the first team players will be available for selection by Ronald Koeman for this Sunday’s opening Liga fixture against Real Sociedad.”
They also noted that two of the other captains, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, are also in discussions to reduce their salaries and are “totally and utterly willing to cooperate.”
