Lionel Messi is reportedly set to leave Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023.
In his debut season at the Parc des Princes, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was unable to reach his regular goalscoring standards, scoring 11 goals and setting up 15 more.
Messi has thrived in the star-studded frontline alongside Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in the French city since Christophe Galtier arrived to replace Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentina international has six goals and eight assists in 11 appearances this season, helping PSG to a two-point lead over Marseille at the top of Ligue 1.
Messi’s poor first season at PSG fueled talk that he might leave after just one season, but he appears to be sticking around until the end of the season.
There is an option to extend the former Barcelona man’s contract until 2024, but he may leave as a free agent in less than a year.
Will Messi Leave PSG Next Year?
A return to Camp Nou remains a possibility for the 35-year-old, as reported by Beteve – via Miquel Blazquez – Messi is unwilling to sign a new contract in Paris.
As a result, the South American will leave the Ligue 1 winners at the end of the season, though his next career step remains unknown.
The forward, who has 17 goals and 23 assists in 45 appearances for PSG in all competitions, has been linked with a transfer to MLS if a return to Barcelona does not happen.
La Blaugrana are believed to be making measures to enable a reunion with Messi, with the Argentine bidding farewell in 2021 after Barca’s financial condition made keeping him difficult.
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According to a recent report, Barcelona are considering re-hiring Messi as a club ambassador when he retires, but a return to the playing squad is not out of the question.
President Joan Laporta has mediated a number of arrangements to help Barcelona’s financial crisis, but Messi would still have to accept a significant pay cut to rejoin Xavi’s squad.
Messi left Barcelona in 2021 as the club’s all-time best goalscorer and appearance maker, having scored 672 goals in 778 La Liga appearances.
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