Where does Lionel Messi continue his great career? The world champion is currently planning his near future, his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer. The club would like to extend their superstar, but there seem to be many exciting options. It’s about money and romance.
A meeting in Spain fueled speculation about a return from soccer world champion Lionel Messi to FC Barcelona. The father and manager of the Paris Saint-Germain superstar, Jorge Messi, met with Barça President Joan Laporta in Barcelona a few days ago, radio station Catalunya Ràdio and other Spanish media reported. Among other things, the future of the six-time world footballer from Argentina was said to have been discussed.
At FC Barcelona, ??Messi is a club saint: together they won the Champions League four times, during his time in Spain the Argentine was world footballer seven times. The superstar had to leave Barcelona in 2021 because the club’s precarious situation made it impossible for the big earner to continue working. Barça President Laporta had left no doubt in the past few months that they would like to bring the “prodigal son” back. Vice President Eduard Romeu whispered last October: “We know how to work miracles.”
Messi’s contract in Paris expires on June 30. The 35-year-old could then change free of charge. According to media reports, in addition to Barcelona, ??Inter Miami and the top Saudi club Al-Hilal are also interested in signing the superstar. In Saudi Arabia, Messi could collect an annual salary of 350 million US dollars, several media recently reported. That would be the equivalent of more than 320 million euros. FC Barcelona could not compete with this because of the salary caps in force in Spain.
The French newspaper “L’Equipe” recently reported that a contract extension at PSG, which has also been endowed with many, many billions in oil, currently seems unlikely. Due to the applicable financial fair play rules, the offer for a one-year contract should include less salary.
With PSG, Messi will first try to bring the Champions League title to Paris for the first time. In the round of 16 first leg, however, the French champions lost 1-0 at home to FC Bayern Munich. The second leg in Munich will take place on March 8th.
