35-year-old Argentina national captain and French Ligue 1’s Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi had one of his best years in football last year, after he led his country to its third ever FIFA World Cup title and became the only person on Earth to have won multiple Golden Ball Awards in the quadrennial tournament. All these achievements made him the favourite candidate to win it all in this year’s Ballon d’Or. Should Messi be able to do this, it will be his eighth accolade in this prestige award, three more than his closest rival and Portugal national captain Cristiano Ronaldo. As Messi had already won almost all major and minor titles football can offere, it is interesting to see where his future lies, with his father Jorge Messi already commented that his son is unlikely to go back to his boyhood club, Barcelona.
Messi Might Leave If PSG Does Not Win UCL
La Pulga’s Paris Saint-Germain lost to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, and multiple reliable platforms had already mentioned that the FIFA World Cup-winning captain has the desire to leave the French Ligue 1 club, should it does not win the biggest European club football title this year. It is also worth noting that the loss to Bayern Munich two nights ago was only the second time PSG had suffered a defeat against the German Bundesliga 1 outfit. Hence, it would only be reasonable for arguably the greatest footballer of all-time to be upset with the possible elimination. But PSG does have a consolation for the second leg as the away goal rule in European club football competitions had been abolished few years ago.
Jorge Messi: “Return to Barca Is Unlikely.”
When asked about his son’s future, Jorge Messi stressed that it would be unlikely that Leo will be going back to Spanish La Liga side Barcelona, despite rumours had been ongoing since the former Barca captain’s move to France. His statement read “I don’t think Leo will play for Barcelona again. We haven’t spoken to (Joan) Laporta and there is no offer”. According to reports, the Catalan president had numerously claimed that his willingness to have Messi back to Camp Nou, but with the nearing of the end of Messi’s PSG contract, things could turn out differently than what people thought.
Leo Messi’s father Jorge after the meeting with PSG has traveled to Barcelona.
— Leo Messi 🔟 (@WeAreMessi) February 15, 2023
PSG’s Contract Extension Far from Done
Jorge, who is also Messi’s agent, highlighted that Messi’s camp had held talks with Paris Saint-Germain in recent times. Based on sources, the French club would love to retain Messi in the club, but with the condition of salary reduction as the team would need to accommodate star players like Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. Considering Messi is turning 36 four months from now and will be a free agent this summer transfer window, it would only be fair that the Argentine captain would seek a reasonable contract to end his professional playing career on a high note. Furthermore, PSG had shown that they could be vulnerable in the league or European club competition playing without a key man like Messi, thus keeping him at Le Parc des Princes would only be a wise move for the club.
Where Will Messi Go If He Leaves PSG?
Should Messi does not sign an extension with PSG, his next move might be the United States by joining David Beckham’s Inter Miami. Alternatively, the player had also been linked on a transfer away from Europe to Asia, to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League via Al-Hilal or Al-Itihad.
Where do you think Messi will head to next, or do you think the Argentina national team captain will stay with PSG? Let us know your thoughts.
