Fans are waiting for Lionel Messi – so far in vain. / Picture: APA / AFP / GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT
According to media reports, Lionel Messi will play for Paris Saint-Germain in the future. As reported by “L'Equipe” in France or newspapers from Spain and his home country Argentina, the six-time world footballer reached an agreement with those responsible for the French runner-up on Tuesday. In front of Messi's house and the airport in Barcelona, media representatives and fans waited to catch a glimpse of the Argentine.
In any case, he was expected in Paris on Tuesday, it said. The medical check is to take place in the American Hospital in Paris. On Wednesday there will be a press conference with Messi, for whom a new chapter in life will begin after 21 years at FC Barcelona. The superstar should sign a contract for two years with an option for a third. Messi would then be 37 years old by the end of June 2024. A fixed salary of 35 million euros was recently rumored to be the annual salary. There is also a bonus for the signature.
In the middle of the night on Tuesday, there was an alleged new attempt by FC Barcelona to keep the Argentine after 21 years and the failure of another cooperation. However, this is not supposed to have started from President Joan Laporta. Sources close to the association denied the apparently sensational turn in the cause a little later. Little had changed about Messi's intention to go to Paris.
The star ensemble
At PSG, Messi will work with his former Barca colleague Neymar or Argentines Angel di Maria, Leandro Paredes, Mauro Icardi and coach Mauricio Pochettino, among others. Kylian Mbappe completes the extraordinary storm series. However, Real Madrid are said to be interested in the French. The acclimatization period for Messi should be short. Sergio Ramos and European champion Gianluigi Donnarumma have recently started playing at the club, which is supported by millions from Qatar. Both came on a free transfer after their contracts with Real and Milan respectively expired.
Messi had to leave Barcelona after 21 years, 672 goals as a professional and 35 titles because the rules of financial fair play in Spain had made a new contract with the heavily indebted club impossible. Even his waiver of 50 percent of his fee would not have helped Barcelona, according to Laporta.
