Lionel Messi will become a free agent in June when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires. Over the last few days, various reporting regarding the 35-year-old’s future has been reported.
Whether it’s Messi moving away from an extension with PSG or the Argentine remaining in the French capital, these last few days were filled with news. SPORT (h/t Paris Fans) wanted to know if Barcelona is getting in the mix for a reunion with Messi.
Nonetheless, returning to Barcelona is out of the cards as Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, shot down any hopes of seeing his son at the Camp Nou again as a professional footballer.
“I don’t think Leo will play for Barca again,” Jorge told SPORT. “The conditions are not met. We haven’t spoken with Laporta and there is no offer.”
If the Argentine remains in Europe, it will likely happen at PSG. However, if the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is done playing football at the highest level, then MLS side Inter Miami and perhaps a Saudi Arabian club could be the next destination.
These next few weeks should finally paint a picture of where Messi sees himself playing next season, which could hinge on whether PSG advances in their UEFA Champions League contest against Bayern Munich, where they’re down 1-0 on aggregate heading into the second leg on March 8. The Argentine and PSG are due back in action on Saturday in Ligue 1 against Lille.
Since joining PSG in 2021, the 35-year-old has scored 26 goals in 60 appearances across all competitions.
The 35-year-old’s brother, Matias, recently apologised after claiming that any Messi comeback to the Camp Nou would only take place if the whole club was “cleaned up” with Laporta “thrown out”.
In responding to the rumours, the Barcelona president said last week: “Don’t make me talk about Messi, he belongs to PSG and I don’t want to comment on footballers who are at another club.”
Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea owners meet over potential Neymar deal – sources
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al Khelaifi and Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly met on Tuesday in Paris to discuss a potential transfer of Neymar, sources told ESPN.
PSG wanted the Brazilian superstar to leave last summer but could not find a club willing to take him on. The PSG No. 10, who turned 31 last week, is under contract in Paris until June 2027 and earns €30 million a year, but he is currently out of favour with the Ligue 1 leaders.
Boehly was offered the possibility to recruit Neymar last summer, and sources said the American owner was tempted, but a move never materialized.
Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel also lobbied for the arrival of the Brazilian at Stamford Bridge in 2022 when he was still on the Blues’ bench.
Sources said Al Khelaifi and Boehly met in a luxury hotel near the Arc de Triomphe for lunch and, in addition to a possible move for Neymar, the pair discussed the failed transfer of Hakim Ziyech from Chelsea to Paris at the end of the winter window and the latest developments on the formation of a possible European Super League.
