Amidst talks about Barcelona president Joan Laporta being prepared to go all out to sign Lionel Messi in the summer of 2023, a fresh report from Le Parisien seems to have poured cold water over those hopes.
As per the French publication, Messi and PSG have reached an agreement in principle over a new contract for at least one more season, which will keep him at Parc des Princes until the summer of 2024.
Messi joined Les Parisiens last year on a Bosman deal after Barça were unable to hand him a new contract due to the club’s financial issues. After having found it hard initially in France, the 35-year-old has been in sublime form this season.
Having recently led Argentina to their first World Cup triumph since 1986, the all-time great was expected to shift his focus on the matter of his future. However, if the aforementioned report is to be believed, that may have already been taken care of.
Messi’s current contract with PSG expires at the end of the season. It has given way to speculations about a comeback to Barcelona while MLS club Inter Miami are also said to be keen on securing his services
Les Parisiens, though, have always maintained that they wanted to keep hold of Messi at least for another year. The report indicates that the Ligue 1 champions have been in constant talks with Jorge Messi about the renewal for close to three months now.
And, it further claims that in early December, when Messi was still at the World Cup, an agreement in principle was reached between all parties to keep the Argentina captain at the club until 2024.
Messi still desires to continue at the highest level following his World Cup triumph and PSG can offer him the best chance to win the Champions League given that he is part of an elite attacking unit comprising Neymar and Lionel Messi, adds the report.
It is also mentioned that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s family is also happy and settled in Paris. So, it was not a difficult decision for the Argentine to agree to continue at the club for one more year.
As for Barcelona, re-signing Messi was always going to difficult, not only because of their difficult financial situation, but also due to the strained relationship between the superstar and president Laporta.
And now, it seems like the Barcelona legend has decided to remain in France for one more year. Fabrizio Romano is also reporting that Messi indeed has a verbal agreement in place with PSG to remain at the club, although he mentions that there is no decision regarding the duration of the deal.