After two years at Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi is said to be about to leave the French capital. With the decision to suspend the 35-year-old superstar for two weeks after an undisclosed trip to Saudi Arabia, the club sealed the end of Messi’s time in Paris, wrote the French sports newspaper “L’Équipe” on Wednesday. Other French media also reported that Messi’s farewell was certain.
The top French club did not officially comment on this until Wednesday morning. According to the consistent reports on Tuesday, Messi will not be allowed to play or train for the next two weeks. He should also not get a salary. The Argentine had traveled to Saudi Arabia as part of his work as a tourism ambassador. According to “L’Équipe”, the trip should have been planned for the long term.
French media reported a few weeks ago that Messi was about to leave PSG. The negotiations about the offensive player staying in Paris have not yet failed, but a contract extension is unlikely. Messi’s contract in Paris expires on June 30. The 35-year-old could then change free of charge.
The Saudi club Al-Hilal or Messi’s former club FC Barcelona are considered possible new clubs. Al-Hilal is said to have made Messi an offer with an annual salary of 350 million US dollars (just under 318 million euros). Barça are said to be interested in Messi’s return, but the Spaniards have limited financial resources.
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Messi is having a mediocre season with Paris. In the round of 16 of the Champions League, the team failed at FC Bayern. In Ligue 1, the team still leads the table, but recently gambled away part of its lead. Coach Christophe Galtier’s team lost 3-1 to FC Lorient on Sunday. The coach then reportedly gave the team days off, with Messi absent from training due to his travels.
