Former Liverpool midfielder Luis Garcia feels the mind-boggling money paid to players is a reflection of the sport’s growth.
Argentine legend Lionel Messi signed a contract extension to remain at FC Barcelona till 2021 for a deal reportedly worth $645,000-a-week with a buy-out clause of $835m. Brazilian superstar Neymar reportedly earns a whopping €865,000-a-week at PSG.
“It is not for me to give any opinions (on money in football transfers). Football is the way it is. It is something you cannot stop globally,” said Garcia.
“Market decides (the monetary value of a player), not the supporters. Money in football is difficult to control. You cannot stop player payments rising.”
Garcia, a member of 2005 Champions League winning squad at Liverpool, was speaking on the sidelines of LFC World, giving the Premier League team’s local fans a chance to meet the famous names from the recent past.
Sami Hyypia, a Finland defender with stints at Liverpool before taking up managership post-retirement, felt players were not at fault for the incredible sums spent by team owners to acquire marketable faces.
“It is not the player’s fault that they are being paid so much money, the only problem I foresee is when teams over-spend and probably leading to a situation when some player is not paid the money promised to him. Suppose you get an offer for a job with remuneration more than anybody paid before, would you refuse the offer and say money is too much,” asked the Finn.
