In yet another financial crisis for Barcelona, La Liga has blocked a key maneuver that previously allowed the club to register Dani Olmo and Pau Victor for the second half of the 2024-25 season. The Spanish league ruled that Barcelona’s accounting of a $108 million transaction from VIP box sales at Camp Nou did not meet Financial Fair Play (FFP) standards, leading to an immediate reduction in their wage cap.
As a result, the registrations of Olmo and Victor are now in serious doubt, pending a final ruling by Spanish authorities before April 7. But beyond the immediate consequences for the two players, this financial turmoil could have major ramifications for one of Barcelona’s most legendary figures—Lionel Messi.
La Liga makes harsh decision on Barcelona’s accounting move
Barcelona has been struggling with FFP regulations for years, and the club’s latest attempt to create financial breathing room has been met with harsh resistance from La Liga. Initially, the sale of VIP seats in the soon-to-be-renovated Camp Nou had been counted as income, allowing the Catalans to temporarily register the duo. However, an audit by Crowe Spain, Barca’s newly appointed auditor, determined that the transaction could not be fully accounted for yet—since the VIP seats do not physically exist at this time, as per Carrusel Deportivo.
This contradicted an earlier assessment by a temporary auditor, who had certified the revenue as valid, enabling the team to extend their salary limit. The discrepancy led La Liga to investigate further, ultimately concluding that the $108 million could not be considered as immediate income, putting Barcelona in violation of FFP regulations.
A La Liga statement confirmed the decision: “According to the referenced Interim Financial Statements, and in compliance with the NEP, FC Barcelona did not, as of December 31, 2024, or January 3, 2025, nor does it currently, have any positive balance or registration capacity, publicly known as ‘Fair Play,’ to register the players Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor.”
The ruling also lowered Barcelona’s wage cap, making it even harder for the club to conduct future transfers.
The shocking impact on Lionel Messi
Beyond the Spanish duo, this financial turmoil has another unexpected victim—Lionel Messi. For months, speculation has swirled about the Argentine legend making a sensational return to Barcelona from Inter Miami. However, the club’s inability to register players means that bringing Messi back is now practically impossible—at least under current financial conditions.
The Blaugrana’s plan to re-sign one of their biggest modern stars was always dependent on freeing up their wage bill and meeting La Liga’s financial regulations. The cancellation of this loophole means that any potential move for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is now in serious jeopardy.
Even though the 37-year-old remains under contract with the Herons in MLS until December 2025, many believed that Barcelona could find a creative way to orchestrate a loan move or a short-term contract. But with their FFP restrictions tightening even further, the reality is setting in: Messi’s Barcelona return might never happen.
