The big Messi deficit: How Barcelona will lose $160m this season after Messi exit

FC Barcelona continues to see the negative effects of letting Lionel Messi go with an expected loss of $160m this season from their brand valuation. Due to cutting ties after 21 years of association with Messi, Barcelona will likely lose money across key areas of brand recognition. The Argentine forward left the Camp Nou for Paris Saint-Germain this summer on a free transfer. 

According to Brand Finance, the departure of Lionel Messi could cost the La Liga club as much as $160m or approximately 11% of their brand value. This reduction will be across the main categories of Commercial Revenue, On-pitch performance & match-day revenue, and shirt sales & merchandising revenue. This would most certainly make Barcelona go further from Real Madrid on the list of the most valuable football club in the world. Real Madrid leads that rankings with $1.486bn and Barcelona are in 2nd with $1.497bn.

This will be particularly bad news for Barcelona as they are rumoured to be in debt of up to €1.3bn. The departure of Messi would mean a reduction in shirt sales and other sporting merchandise. Also, match-day revenues would be affected as the Argentine was the major attraction for fans coming to Camp Nou. It is also likely that with a weakened side, Barcelona would not go far in cup competitions or challenges for the league title. This would result in lower prize money for the club at the end of the season. 

By contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Real Madrid to Juventus in 2018 caused the Los Blancos brand to lose up to 19%, according to Brand Finance. It is yet to be seen if Lionel Messi's move to PSG this season will result in the French club earning more from their brand valuation.