Fans are waiting for Lionel Messi – so far in vain. / Picture: APA / AFP / GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT
Lionel Messi will play for Paris Saint-Germain in the future. After the “L'Equipe” in France and newspapers from Spain announced the change of the six-time world footballer to the French runner-up, father Jorge confirmed this at Barcelona airport. From there, Messi set out for Paris on Tuesday afternoon in the thunderstorm of flashlights from the Spanish press. In the meantime, a huge poster with his likeness has been removed from Camp Nou.
Media representatives and fans waited for hours in front of Messi's house in Castelldefels and El Prat Airport to catch a glimpse of the Argentine. 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. Jorge Messi was the only one who wanted to give brief information. When asked whether his son would switch to PSG, he said curtly at the airport: “Yes”.
Messi's wife Antonella Roccuzzo posted a photo of a couple on the way to a new “adventure” from the plane. The superstar, who was traveling with his family, is said to 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. The red carpet has already been rolled out in Paris. Numerous fans and media people have already gathered there at the airport.
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.
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.
It should only be a matter of hours before the Eiffel Tower will even shine in the appropriate colors – as was the case four years ago with his friend Neymar, who also moved from FC Barcelona to Paris.
