Josep Bartomeu: 'Lionel Messi never opposed salary cuts'

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has claimed that Lionel Messi was never opposed to sacrificing his wages amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Catalan giants recently announced that players are set to take a 70% salary cut in wake of the crisis, with Messi releasing a statement himself confirming the measure.

The announcement comes after reports that Barcelona players disagreed with senior figures at the club over the level of wage reduction, but Bartomeu insists that Messi was always in favour of a salary decrease.

Speaking to Sport, Bartomeu said: "Messi told me from day one that this reduction had to be made. This proposal came from the captains. It is a gesture that demonstrates their commitment to the club.

"Perhaps [the players] have been frustrated by things said by people inside and outside the club, who do not have all the information.

"But the negotiations were carried out only by Oscar Grau and me and we have not said anything."

La Liga is currently suspended indefinitely, with Spain one of the worst-affected nations by the coronavirus outbreak.