Lionel Messi has verbally agreed to sign a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain, thereby handing a blow to his former club Barcelona.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona will not succeed in re-signing Lionel Messi next year. The Argentine international has accepted a contract proposal from Paris Saint-Germain, thus handing a blow to the Blaugrana and Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi is arguably the most recognised name in the game’s history. The 35-year-old made his name at FC Barcelona, spending most of his professional career with the Catalan outfit. His record for the Blaugrana was sensational, as he amassed 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 outings.
But Messi’s Barcelona stint ended last year when Financial Fair Play restrictions stopped them from handing a new deal to him. And after bidding an emotional farewell to Barcelona, the player joined Paris Saint-Germain in a free transfer. But he endured a difficult 2021/22 campaign with PSG, struggling to perform at his best.
PSG fans even jeered the Argentine international and his teammates after the club’s ouster from the UEFA Champions League. But Messi has turned a corner this season, becoming a talismanic figure for Les Parisiens. And the former Barcelona captain led his nation to World Cup glory in Qatar last week, winning the Golden Ball.
But Messi’s future at the club level has been uncertain of late, as he is in the final year of his deal with PSG. That has prompted Barcelona to dream about re-signing the veteran attacker. However, the Blaugrana will unlikely re-sign the 35-year-old, who has verbally accepted PSG’s contract offer.
Apart from Barcelona, MLS outfit Inter Miami also showed interest in the World Cup winner. But the Argentine international is ready to commit another year to PSG, thus handing a blow to his suitors. The latest update comes in the wake of suggestions that Barcelona might activate another lever to re-sign Messi.
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But Barcelona will need to identify alternatives to the veteran attacker, who will likely remain at PSG beyond the summer transfer window. It will be interesting to see who joins the Catalan giants to bolster their attack next year.
