It’s not small change, not even for people used to earning millions of euros, like at PSG. And in addition to the real value, there is also the symbolic one. In short, the players of the Emir of Qatar’s club expect the management to respect the agreements and pay the bonuses from last season. Around 300 thousand euros each which, according to L’Equipe, president Al Khelaifi has unilaterally decided to freeze, due to the disappointing sports budget.
MERCENARIES
—
In fact, the 2022-23 season was supposed to be one of triumphs, around the World Cup in Doha, with the dream trident to show off for the assault on the Champions League. Messi, Neymar and Mbappé, however, were not enough to make Emir Al Thani happy. Indeed, last year PSG went out directly in the round of 16, both in the Champions League and in the French Cup, managing to cross the finish line first in the championship, but with difficulty, followed closely by Lens, second at -1. And not even the Super Cup had erased the continuous extra-football controversies that fueled the news, destabilizing the environment, to the point of inducing the ultras to go on strike, demanding the heads of the stars: Messi and Neymar above all, branded as mercenaries, insulted , booed and finally shown the door.
TIGHT
—
A year later the remaining players are still waiting for the agreed prizes, but verbally. For this reason, the club considers the agreement non-binding, in light of the non-exemplary path, despite the fact that captain Marquinhos has repeatedly urged compliance with the agreements which are inspired by the Ibrahimovic doctrine. In 2012, it was the Swede who negotiated seasonal bonuses that can reach one million in case of triumph on all fronts. However, already in 2020, PSG delayed as much as possible the payment of those expected for the Champions League final reached but lost against Bayern Munich, remembering that each player benefits from generous clauses that enrich their wages. Like those for Kylian Mbappé who was forced last summer to give up around 150 million bonuses in order to return to the squad, after announcing his farewell at the end of his contract. PSG also froze his salary for April in order to induce the striker to respect the agreement sealed, however, only with a handshake.
