Lionel Messi flew out of Paris – Kommersant

Lionel Messi’s stay at PSG appears to be coming to an end. The leadership of the Parisian club went into direct conflict with its main star, subjecting the Argentinean to a two-week suspension for his uncoordinated visit to Saudi Arabia. Most likely, the 2022 world champion himself, whose contract with PSG expires this summer, could not help but know that the Qatari owners of PSG would be outraged by his “AWOL”. It seems that Messi himself has already decided on his future.

The leader of the championship of France in football PSG for two weeks suspended his main star – Lionel Messi. The seven-time winner of the Golden Ball, the 2022 world champion, recognized as the equal of Diego Maradona himself, will not be allowed to train with the team or play for it in official matches. In addition, PSG will withhold Messi’s salary for two weeks. According to unofficial data, the salary of an Argentinean in Paris is about €35 million per year. That is, he will miss about € 1.35 million. The Parisians did not officially confirm or deny the information about the sanctions against Messi, but a number of sources immediately reported that relations between the club and the 35-year-old striker had reached a low point. Publications L’Equipe, RMC Sport, the agency AFP unanimously, citing their contacts at PSG, confirmed the information about the punishment for Messi.

The reason for the nervous reaction of the leadership of PSG was the visit of Messi, accompanied by members of his family, to Saudi Arabia at the beginning of the week, which was not coordinated with the bosses of the club.

The trip of the Argentine was not entertaining, but quite businesslike. In 2022, he signed a contract with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Tourism to take on the role of tourism ambassador for the Middle Eastern country. According to unofficial data, this agreement will bring Messi $ 25 million a year. Previously, Messi has already visited Saudi Arabia twice as part of the fulfillment of obligations under the contract. The third visit was scheduled for March, but due to the difficulties that PSG faced in tournaments, it was repeatedly postponed. Last week, PSG head coach Christophe Galtier promised the players two days off – Monday and Tuesday – if they beat Lorient at home. Apparently, Messi had no doubt that his team would cope with an opponent firmly stuck in the middle of the table, and confirmed a visit to Saudi Arabia. PSG, however, lost 1-3, after which manager Galtier declared both Monday and Tuesday training days. Messi never showed up for training.

Apparently, the Argentinean unwittingly found himself between two fires and was forced to choose which of the two agreements to follow – with PSG or with the authorities of Saudi Arabia. On one side of the scale for Messi was a contract with PSG expiring in June, on the other, a long-term and very profitable contract with Saudi Arabia. The choice made by Messi unequivocally testifies to his future plans. Places for PSG, which the Argentine moved to two years ago from Barcelona, ​​are apparently not there.

It is possible that Messi will not play another match for the Parisians (PSG have five more games left in the French championship).

According to R.M.C. Sport, PSG is seriously discussing the option in which the Argentine on the field as part of the capital team will no longer appear. French media also claim that the club has already made a decision in principle not to renew Messi’s contract.

If this is true, then there is a real chance for Messi to return to Barcelona. To do this, however, the Argentine will have to greatly moderate the salary requirements, given that his native club is now unable to pay him the usual salary. The second option is to move to Saudi Arabia, where the local Al-Hilal club is ready to offer Messi a multi-million dollar contract. Finally, do not forget about the interest in Messi from the club of the American Major League Soccer (MLS) Inter Miami. The team belongs to David Beckham, who has repeatedly said that he would very much like to see an Argentine in it.

Alexander Petrov