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By Martin Graham | 25th Jan 2023
Messi has decided to renew his contract with PSG and will leave the club in the summer. The Argentine maestro is set to become a free agent in the summer and will not be in short supply of suitors.
Few players in football history compare to Lionel Messi. Perhaps not the greatest of all time, or perhaps so so for some. One thing is certain though and it is the fact that Messi merits a mention in the conversation. The former Barcelona has had an impressive career and won everything at his disposal. His whole football career can be described in one word – phenomenal.
The only certainty in life is change. As a footballer ages, he begins to drop in performance. Lionel Messi is no longer at the peak of his powers and is close to hanging up his boots. The mercurial forward is loved at Paris Saint-Germain, as he is the world over. In recent months, Messi has come under pressure to renew his contract at the Paris club, but it seems the love affair is about to end.
Before the World Cup, the PSG president was cock sure that Lionel Messi would extend his stay at the Paris capital, but it seems the whole idea is coming apart. His face would be worth a look now that Messi’s future at the club is in doubt. Reports suggest Lionel Messi is seeking other clubs ahead of the summer.
Messi to leave PSG
Lionel Messi has a contract that expires at the end of the season. The Argentine forward will then become a free agent. The situation is not to the liking of the hierarchy at PSG, as they want to keep the World Cup winner around for a while longer.
There were reports that the former Barcelona player would continue with the Paris club. PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi had claimed that after the World Cup, the club would have discussions with Messi to determine his future. It seems it did not pan out as expected for the club, as Messi has reportedly changed his mind about his future and will not pen a new deal at Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG had high hopes of Messi penning a new deal at the Parc des Princes before the end of the season, but Messi is now going against the general idea. Perhaps Messi has had enough of competitive football after winning all that is available. A school of thought believes the ageing maestro wants a more relaxed and less competitive atmosphere before retiring.
Clubs interested in signing Messi
PSG remain vocal about keeping Messi in Paris. The Argentine has shone in a league where PSG has no worthy opposition. Messi plays at a club where stars like Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Gianluigi Buffon have made life much easier for him in the French capital. He has scored eight goals and assisted 10 in 15 appearances this term as PSG has a three-point cushion over their closest rival.
Despite the agreement with PSG to pause contract negotiations till after the World Cup, Messi has reneged on it and is keen to leave the club. According to Gerad Moreno, Messi agreed to a new deal with PSG but has decided to opt out of it.
Lionel Messi should get offers from the MLS, with Inter Miami keen on his services. Barcelona is still interested in bringing him back to the Nou Camp.
Saudi Arabian clubs are also in the loop. They are monitoring the situation, given that the General Secretary of the Saudi Football Federation, Ibrahim Alkassim, recently spoke about how he would like to welcome the player to the Saudi Pro League.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
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