Leaked Documents Reveal Barcelona Defender Gerard Pique As Highest Paid Defender in the World

• Gerard Pique was the highest paid defender in the world under former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu a leaked document has confirmed
• The veteran Spanish defender was set to earn €142m in gross salary, working out as €28.4m per year over 5 years in his previous contract with the La Liga giants
• Pique has been hugely sidelined this season by current Barcelona manager Xavi as he has been regarded as the 5th choice central defender in the Barca team

Gerard Pique is in the spotlight again as a recently leaked document has confirmed the 35-year-old was once the world’s highest-paid defender in the world in his previous contract with Barcelona.

The deal which was signed under outed Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu saw the defender earn as high as €142m in gross salary in a 5-year contract.

According to Marca, Pique's request to the then Barcelona board was explicitly to be the highest-paid central defender in the world, ahead of rival and Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

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The Barcelona defender was earning a whooping €28.4m per year and after taxes, it worked out as €15m if his bonuses were fulfilled.

Pique was among some top Barcelona players to agree to take a pay cut after the club’s finances hit rock bottom after the pandemic.

Shakira opens up on divorce from Pique

Meanwhile, Gerard Pique’s ex-partner Shakira has admitted it was difficult to speak about her separation from the Barcelona defender earlier this year, Daily Post reports.

Shakira revealed that her split from Pique has been tough for herself and their kids as both parties continue to fight for custody of their two children.

Shakira and Pique had two children together during the 12 years they were together.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported Gerard Pique has decided to take some huge personal costs to help Barcelona register its new players following the Catalans financial crisis.

Barcelona has brought in Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Frank Kessie, and Andreas Christensen while they also renewed the contract of Ousmane Dembele.

The Spanish giants have however failed to register any of these players for the upcoming season after failing to meet La Liga’s regulations due to their financial troubles.