The football world was rocked when Lionel Messi moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for nothing last summer. The Argentine star signed a two-year deal with the Ligue 1 giants, but reports now suggest that he may leave the club when the season is over, his contract expires.
Messi’s representatives have talked with PSG over a contract renewal, but the discussions have yet to be fruitful. PSG is believed to be focusing on developing young French talent rather than relying on superstar signings. PSG’s new approach comes after Bayern Munich knocked the club out of the Champions League last month. The club’s fans have turned on Messi and other high-profile players due to the team’s lackluster performance.
Messi himself has not been at his best since joining PSG. The forward has scored just six goals in 13 games in all competitions in 2023, and the team has lost seven games in total. While Messi is still widely regarded as one of the world’s top athletes, PSG is no longer willing to build its team around him. It’s still being determined where Messi will play next if he leaves PSG.
Barcelona has clarified that they would like to re-sign their former player, but whether they can afford to offer him a new contract is still being determined. Messi will likely remain in Europe rather than move to the MLS or Saudi Arabia, as he still believes he can play at the highest level. If Messi does leave PSG, it could be the first of many departures for the club.
Neymar, who signed a contract extension with the club in 2021, will be out of contract in 2025. It is unclear whether he will stay with the team under their new strategy of focusing on young French talent.
While PSG’s new approach may disappoint fans hoping for another season of star-studded football, it could be a long-term wise choice. Developing young talent could help the club build a more sustainable future rather than relying on expensive signings that may not work out. It is also worth noting that PSG still has a talented squad, even without Messi and potentially Neymar.
The team includes players like Kylian Mbappe, Marco Verratti, and Presnel Kimpembe, who can lead the team to success. Ultimately, the decision to let Messi go will likely come down to whether PSG believes they can achieve their goals with him on the team.
If they feel they can no longer build around him, it may be time for the two parties to part ways. Regardless of what happens, Messi will go down in history as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Whether he stays with PSG or moves to a new club, his legacy is secure.