Lionel Messi, who moved to PSG in 2021 immediately after leaving Barcelona, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia although speak of a return to the Nou Camp has picked up in Spain in current weeks Messi’s partnership with PSG fans has soured this season in spite of his 21 ambitions and 20 assists
13:44, UK, Thursday 01 June 2023
Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the finish of the season, head coach Christophe Galtier has confirmed.
Messi, who moved to the French side in 2021 immediately after leaving Barcelona, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia although speak of a return to the Nou Camp has picked up in Spain in current weeks.
Galtier has now clarified the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s future lies away from the Parc des Princes ahead of PSG’s final outing of the campaign against Clermont Foot on Saturday.
Lionel Messi trains with his Paris Saint-Germain teammates ahead of what will be his final game for the club against Clermont.
“I had the privilege of coaching the most effective player in the history of football,” Galtier stated on Thursday. “This will be his final match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will obtain the warmest of welcomes.”
Messi has 21 ambitions and 20 assists for PSG in all competitions this season, but his partnership with the team’s fans has soured with the Argentina captain subjected to whistles as the French side fell quick in their pursuit of Champions League glory as soon as once again.
There was an solution to extend his initial two-year deal – worth £25m per year immediately after tax, plus bonuses – by a additional 12 months, but that will not now occur.
European football professional Andy Brassell believes Barcelona must commit their dollars on reinforcing the squad rather than on bringing Lionel Messi back to the club.
“This year, he has been an significant aspect of the group, usually out there. I never feel any of the comments or criticisms are justified,” Galtier stated.
“He’s usually been there for the group. It really is been a wonderful privilege to accompany him all through the season.”
Xavi: I’ve told president to bring Messi back to Barca
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Xavi desires Barcelona to re-sign Messi
Barcelona head coach Xavi has named on the club hierarchy to bring Messi back to the Nou Camp this summer time, but says the move depends on the Argentina forward.
Messi, who scored 672 ambitions in 778 appearances for Barca among 2003 and 2021, has spent the final two seasons at PSG immediately after Barcelona let him move for a free of charge due to getting unable to renew his contract.
Asked about the effect Messi would have on this Barcelona group, who won LaLiga this season, Xavi told Barcelona-primarily based newspaper SPORT: “I am in no doubt that if Messi had been to return, he would assistance us in what we are wanting to accomplish with our football.
“I am in no doubt and I’ve told this to the president. He continues to be a determined footballer, he has the hunger nonetheless. “He’s nonetheless a winner, he’s a leader and he’s diverse. At Barcelona, we’ve not have the exact same level because what we reached as a pinnacle in 2010.
“There is no doubt that he would nonetheless assistance us a lot – but in the finish it all depends on him.
“Messi brings you the talent of getting in a position to play the final pass, he opens doors, scores ambitions. In the final third he can supply the distinction.
“We’re going to speak to him and his representatives. I feel Leo has the upper hand, there is no doubt.”
He added: “It really is hard to be in the skin of somebody who has won it all. I am not in his head, but I’ve been incredibly clear about my partnership with him. We have the doors wide open. And if he desires to come, I am in no doubt that it can occur and he would assistance us. But it is up to him. It really is his private decision.”
Why is Messi leaving PSG?
Sky Sports’ Kaveh Sohelkol outlines exactly where Planet Cup winner Messi could finish up
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
Messi’s representatives had been in talks about a contract renewal with PSG and every little thing was hunting optimistic throughout the Planet Cup in Qatar but the dynamic changed and his departure from Paris suits all parties.
PSG take into account the move to sign Messi as a free of charge agent in the summer time of 2021 to have been a good results on and off the pitch, but sections of the club’s fans have turned on the player because they had been knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.
Messi and the group have not been performing as effectively as anticipated because the Planet Cup and his departure in the summer time fits in with the club’s new method of focusing on young French players rather of signing superstar talents.
Messi nonetheless believes that he can play at the highest level in Europe and Barcelona have produced no secret of their need to re-sign him this summer time.
It remains to be observed no matter whether they can afford to offer you him a new contract but he is substantially much more probably to keep in Europe than move to Inter Miami – or any other MLS club – or Saudi Arabia at this stage of his profession.