Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his current contract this summer, reports confirm.
The Argentine World Cup winner had an “agreement in principle” to stay another year, but neither the club nor the player now want to sign the deal.
Due to financial difficulties, Messi is not certain that the club can compete at the top level of European soccer, while the French champions have decided to focus on the development of new players.
It is understood that Jorge Messi had informed PSG’s sporting director Luis Campos a few weeks ago.
The player believes PSG’s spending might be constrained in order to follow Financial Fair Play regulations next season, endangering the quality of their team.
Messi’s recent hesitation to sign a new contract has angered PSG’s Qatari owners, who think his silence was a clear sign he didn’t want to stay.
Yesterday, PSG announced a two-week suspension on the 35-year-old for his unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.
Barcelona and Messi would be keen on securing a dream return for the forward to the Nou Camp but, with the La Liga leaders facing severe financial difficulties, a move back ‘home’ looks increasingly unlikely.
Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season when his contract expires, sources have told ESPN’s @LaurensJulien.https://t.co/RmCQ9LMgHq
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 3, 2023
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He also has interest from Inter Miami in Major League Soccer and an eyewatering offer of about $709m to play in Saudi Arabia for a year with Al-Hilal.
Messi though believes he can still compete at the top of European football for another season – eyeing the chance to win a fifth Champions League trophy – but, with a move to Barcelona looking impossible, his options are looking increasingly limited.
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