In the wake of Marc-André ter Stegen’s season-ending knee injury, FC Barcelona moved swiftly to secure the services of Wojciech Szczęsny, a seasoned Polish goalkeeper who had briefly retired after a distinguished career at Juventus, Arsenal, and AS Roma. The 34-year-old’s unexpected return to elite football with one of the world’s biggest clubs has sparked curiosity about his financial arrangements, especially given Barcelona’s well-documented economic constraints. This article delves into Szczęsny’s salary at Barcelona, compares it to the club’s highest earners, and examines how it stacks up against the top earners in La Liga, shedding light on the financial dynamics of his short-term stint in Catalonia.
Wojciech Szczęsny’s salary at Barcelona
Szczęsny’s arrival at Barcelona in October 2024 was a pragmatic move, facilitated by La Liga’s regulations that allow clubs to use up to 80% of an injured player’s salary to register a replacement. With ter Stegen sidelined, Barcelona signed Szczęsny as a free agent on a contract running until June 30, 2025. According to multiple reports, including those from Spanish outlet SPORT and other credible sources, Szczęsny is earning approximately €3 million gross for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. This translates to roughly €57,692 per week before taxes, a modest figure by the standards of a club like Barcelona and significantly lower than the €12 million gross annual salary he commanded at Juventus before his retirement.
The deal was finalized quickly, with Szczęsny accepting the reduced pay without hesitation, reportedly motivated by the opportunity to play for a club of Barcelona’s stature. His salary places him in the lower-middle tier of Barcelona’s wage structure, surpassing only a handful of first-team players such as Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde, who earn around €1.6 million gross annually, and younger talents like Fermín López (€630,000), Marc Casadó (€420,000), Pau Víctor (€380,000), and Pablo Torre (€210,000). Notably, Szczęsny’s contract also benefits from an agreement with Juventus, which covers part of his termination costs, effectively acting as a “gardening clause” that supplements his income.
Highest earners at Barcelona
Barcelona’s wage bill, despite efforts to trim costs amid a €1.35 billion debt, remains one of the highest in European football, with an estimated total gross salary of €201.12 million for the 2024-25 season. Leading the pack is Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, whose clinical finishing has earned him an estimated gross annual base salary of €33.33 million, or approximately €640,962 per week. Frenkie de Jong follows as the club’s highest-paid midfielder, raking in €37.5 million annually (€721,154 per week), though his hefty wage has been a point of contention given Barcelona’s attempts to offload him in recent years.
Defender Jules Koundé, a key figure in the backline, earns over €13 million per year (€250,000 per week), while Ronald Araújo, fresh off a new contract in January 2025, commands €10 million annually (€192,308 per week). Midfielders Pedri (€12.5 million, €240,385 per week) and Gavi (€9.38 million, €180,385 per week) also rank among the top earners, reflecting their status as La Masia graduates with long-term potential. In contrast, Szczęsny’s €3 million gross salary is a fraction of these figures, positioning him closer to the bottom of the first-team wage scale. This disparity highlights Barcelona’s strategy of balancing high-earning stars with cost-effective signings like Szczęsny, especially under the constraints of La Liga’s salary cap.
Highest earners in La Liga
Across La Liga, the financial landscape is dominated by Barcelona and Real Madrid, whose ability to offer lucrative contracts persists despite league-wide salary caps. Frenkie de Jong stands as the highest-paid player in the Spanish top flight, with his €37.5 million annual salary at Barcelona outpacing all competitors. Robert Lewandowski’s €33.33 million places him second, while Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. each earn around €20.83 million per year (€400,577 per week), with performance bonuses potentially pushing their earnings higher. Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s marquee signing in 2024, reportedly earns a base salary of €15 million annually (€288,462 per week), though his contract includes significant bonuses that could elevate his total compensation.
Atlético Madrid’s Diego Simeone, while not a player, is worth mentioning as the highest-paid coach, commanding over €34 million per year (€670,000 per week). In this context, Szczęsny’s €3 million gross salary is modest, reflecting his role as a short-term solution rather than a long-term investment. Even among goalkeepers, his earnings are dwarfed by the likes of Atlético Madrid’s Jan Oblak, who earns around €10 million annually. The gap between Szczęsny’s pay and La Liga’s top earners underscores the financial hierarchy in Spanish football, where elite clubs prioritize star attackers and midfielders over even the most accomplished goalkeepers.