Lionel Messi (36) is leaving Paris Saint-Germain. The club officially announced the parting of ways after the final match. 안전놀이터
Paris Saint-Germain announced the news on the club’s official website on Thursday, saying, “Thank you Messi. Messi spent two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain and his journey came to an end at the end of the 2022-23 season. We would like to express our warmest thanks to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner,” the club said.
“He made his Ligue 1 debut in August 2021. Messi scored 32 goals and provided 35 assists, including his debut goal against Manchester City in September 2021. He won his seventh Ballon d’Or with Paris Saint-Germain as they became league champions. He also captained Argentina to victory at the World Cup in Qatar and spent the entire 2022-23 season at Paris Saint-Germain,” he said of his career.
Messi’s farewell was predictable. “I had the privilege of coaching the greatest player of all time,” said Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier at the official press conference ahead of the 2022-23 French Ligue 1 final against Clermont at the Parc des Princes. The final against Clermont will be Messi’s last game.”
Local media also reported Galtier’s comments. The BBC reported that “Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season,” while CNN said that “Messi will play his final game for Paris Saint-Germain against Clermont on home soil”. Many other media outlets have been reporting on Messi’s departure.
Messi rose through the ranks of Barcelona’s youth teams to become one of the club’s all-time greats. At one point, he considered leaving the club, but decided against it and signed a new contract until 2021. President Laporta was elected with the goal of keeping Messi, but ultimately failed to do so for financial reasons. The club was unable to meet the salary cap and had to let the highly paid Messi go.
Messi then left for Paris Saint-Germain, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. Although he was not at 100% under Mauricio Pochettino, he gradually regained his ‘God of Football’ form. Last year, he won the coveted World Cup trophy at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
After the World Cup, there was some positive momentum, but things went cold with Paris Saint-Germain. Paris Saint-Germain wanted to sign Messi to an option for a one-year extension, but Messi’s response was cold. Recently, when Messi failed to attend a team training session for a trip to Saudi Arabia, the club suspended him for crossing an unbridgeable river. Messi’s apology was accepted, but the option for a one-year extension was not signed. Galtier’s words drove a wedge between the two clubs.
On leaving Paris, Messi said, “I want to thank the people of Paris for the last two seasons. I wish them all the best for the future,” he said in his farewell. “I would like to thank Messi for his two seasons at PSG,” said president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. “Winning seven Ballon d’Ors and winning the league in Paris is a great example for young players. At Paris Saint-Germain, commitment can never be underestimated. We wish Messi and his family the best of luck for the future.”
As with his move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, he will be a free agent (FA), meaning his wages will be zero. His contract with Paris Saint-Germain ends on 30 June, so we won’t know his official destination until June. The Saudi Arabian side are currently the only official offer for Messi. “Messi wants to return to Barcelona,” said Fabrizio Romano. However, Messi’s camp has accepted the Saudi offer.”
However, Barcelona are determined to keep Messi. As coach Xavi Hernandez said in a recent interview, “I told president Laporta that we want Messi. Messi is in our plans for next season. It will be decided in the next week,” he said, showing his affection for Messi.