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Messi is all but through with his PSG adventure and is expected to leave France in the summer. Here are three major reasons why he will not be changing his mind
Lionel Messi’s time at Paris Saint-Germain is up. The handwriting is on the wall, and only a miracle will stop him from leaving the French giants when his current contract expires this summer.
Despite the initial promise that the move held, with Messi teaming up with other superstars like Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappe to form a fearsome front three, the Argentine’s time in Paris has been dangerously close to being a disaster.
The latest developments, including his suspension following a trip to Saudi Arabia without PSG’s approval, have only further cemented his resolve to leave the club and there are three major reasons why he will not be making a u-turn.
PSG Ultras
The relationship between Messi and the PSG Ultras has grown even colder in recent months, with the Argentine forward resorting to leaving home games without saluting the crowd like other players often do after matches.
This is believed to be down to the Utlras’ treatment of Messi after they booed him on several occasions, making him the poster boy for the team’s failings in the UEFA Champions League in the past two years.
Despite scoring 20 goals and registering 19 assists in all competitions this season, Messi is regularly booed during matches and his name was even booed during the announcement of the club’s line up against Lyon earlier this year.
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23:58 - 02.04.2023
Messi inches closer to Barcelona return following PSG fans’ gesture
The treatment Messi is getting from PSG fans could push him closer to a Barcelona return
Following his suspension, PSG fans also crowded the club’s offices demanding that Messi leave the club as soon as possible, a request that both he and PSG are inclined to honour.
The prospect of a Barcelona return
Messi’s earlier indecision about signing a new PSG deal hinged on a possible return to Barcelona, where the Argentine forward spent 17 senior years and became a legend, winning four UEFA Champions League titles, 10 LaLiga titles, and numerous other domestic honours.
Unlike at PSG, Messi is revered by Barcelona fans and will be more inclined to join a club that he has strong personal ties with.
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He is believed to be in talks with Barcelona over a possible return and fuelled speculation about a summer move after being spotted in the city of Barcelona dining with ex-teammates.
A number of former players have also asked him to rejoin the Catalan club, with former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez even hinting that a move was on the horizon.
Messi would be welcome in Barcelona without doubt, but the club still faces a financial hurdle with LaLiga if they are to bring the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner back home.
₦184 billion per year deal in Saudi Arabia
If Barcelona’s meagre financial resources stop them from bringing Messi back to the Spotify Camp Nou, the World Cup winner still has other options for a potential move, with rumours of a Saudi Arabian club waiting in the wings to offer Messi a bumper deal.
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19:13 - 03.05.2023
Details of Lionel Messi's alleged £320m-a-year Saudi Arabia contract emerge
Lionel Messi is set to leave Paris Saint Germain after two seasons, with an expected offer of a £320 million-a-year deal if he leaves for Saudi Arabia.
The Telegraph reported that Messi has been in talks over a potential $400 million per year deal, which would see him earn nearly double what the current highest earner in world football, Cristiano Ronaldo, gets yearly at Al-Nassr.
The chance of rekindling the rivalry with Ronaldo in the Suadi Pro League could also be a factor in pushing Messi towards a Saudi Arabia move. The club involved in the megadeal is believed to be Al-Nassr’s fierce rival, Al-Ittihad.
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A move to Saudi Arabia will also allow him to fulfil his obligations as a sporting ambassador to the country without having to make unauthorised international trips like the one that earned him a two-week suspension at PSG.
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