Lionel Messi has announced that he will leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) when his current contract expires at the end of the season.
The Argentine footballer had agreed in principle to extend his stay at PSG for another year, but neither he nor the club have signed the deal.
Messi is reportedly unconvinced that the club can compete at the top of the European game due to financial issues, while the French champions are keen on focusing on developing young talent.
Messi signed a two-year contract with PSG in 2021 with an option to renew for another year, but that option will not be activated. It is believed that his father, Jorge Messi, informed PSG’s football advisor Luis Campos a few weeks ago of his son’s decision to leave.
Messi is said to be concerned that PSG’s budget could be limited next season to comply with Financial Fair Play rules, which could put the quality of their squad at risk. His reluctance to commit to a new deal in recent months has frustrated PSG’s Qatari owners, who believed that Messi’s lack of response was a clear message that he did not want to stay.
The 35-year-old was suspended by PSG for two weeks after he travelled to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission. While Barcelona and Messi are both keen on a possible return for the forward to the Nou Camp, the move back to Barcelona seems increasingly unlikely due to the club’s severe financial difficulties.
Messi also has interest from Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and an offer of about 400 million euros to play in Saudi Arabia for a year. However, Messi believes that he can still compete at the top of European football for another season, eyeing the chance to win a fifth Champions League trophy, although his options are looking increasingly limited.
Messi has scored 31 goals and contributed 34 assists in 71 games in all competitions for PSG, and won the Ligue 1 title last season. He is set to miss matches against Troyes and Ajaccio as PSG, five points clear with five games to go, look to clinch a ninth league title in 11 seasons.
Messi, who is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 games, left the Nou Camp in 2021 due to financial issues at the club. He is currently the favourite to win an eighth Ballon d’Or in October, which is three more than any other player, after winning the World Cup with Argentina in December.
