Soccer | May 3, 2023
Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine forward Lionel Messi | Franck fife / afp
It’s about to get messy for Paris Saint-Germain fans; they’ll be saying au revoir to their superstar, as Lionel Messi won’t return to the squad next season.
Holding nothing back, the PSG fan base can be found chanting: Lionel Messi, “son of a b*tch” in front of the club’s headquarters.
📹 Verratti, Neymar, Messi… Les 3 joueurs sont ciblés par les supporters parisiens.
En vidéo, c’est Leo Messi qui est pris en grippe 😡🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/KZPpQNBiCI — Canal Supporters (@CanalSupporters) May 3, 2023
Most soccer enthusiasts will be clued up on the situation and the soccer news today, but in case you’re late to the party, let’s look at how the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has disgruntled the PSG board to reach this point.
Lionel Messi’s tenure at Paris Saint-Germain is over. Despite being regarded as one of the best players in the history of soccer full stop, the Argentinian player of excellence will arrive on the free agency market this summer following the announcement that Paris won’t offer him a new contract.
Soccer rumors have frequently hinted at Messi’s unhappiness since leaving Barcelona for PSG in 2021. But it was recently confirmed by soccer insider Fabrizio Romano that Messi’s father, Jorge, had already communicated this decision to the club over a month ago.
Critics and reporters spoke of a contract extension, but considering the latest news, there’s more chance of Ronaldo returning to Manchester than Messi staying in Paris.
Messi took an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. Said trip rattled the PSG execs, even more so when they suffered a shock home defeat to Lorient - as Messi was sipping cocktails on a beach in the UAE. Because he didn’t report to training on Monday, the club fined and suspended the World Cup winner for two weeks, thus making him ineligible for PSG’s upcoming domestic fixtures versus Troyes and Ajaccio.
🚨 Paris Saint-Germain have decided to suspend Lionel Messi with immediate effect for two weeks, sources confirm.
The suspension will take place now after Messi’s trip to Saudi NOT authorized by the club as per @RMCSport. Messi side, still waiting on official communication. pic.twitter.com/j223WK2r5Z — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2023
We must take a moment to giggle at the media. Ronaldo doesn’t turn up for pre-season Manchester United training, and he’s automatically the son of the devil. Still, Messi takes an unauthorized business trip to Saudi during the most crucial part of the season, and he’s the GOAT. The double standards are laughable.
Regarding his future, I’m sure Messi will be fine. And despite the drama, I’m almost certain that both parties (PSG & Messi) are happy to part ways because they’ve equally displayed disinterest at times.
Barcelona are doing just fine. They’ve returned from their financial crisis and dominated La Liga this term. Paying a chunk of money to see the return of Messi doesn’t feel right, but who knows?
MLS side Inter Miami CF has displayed an interest in Messi’s services, but nobody can compete with Al-Hilal if the Argentinian wants the most lucrative payday. The Saudi Arabian side made an offer of 400 million dollars – ANNUALLY! And considering he’s already an ambassador of tourism for the nation, he could already have one foot in the door of the pro league.
Should Messi sign the dotted line, it would triumph Ronaldo’s current deal ($200 million) with the league and become the most lucrative in soccer history.
BREAKING: Lionel Messi is in talks with Saudi Arabia on a contract worth $400 million annually, according to @Telegraph.
That would be the most lucrative deal in the history of the sport, and it's $200 million more than Cristiano Ronaldo's current deal. That's insane 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ZdT00gqi0s — Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) May 3, 2023