Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has finally been confirmed, as he was officially unveiled at the Parc des Princes. The 34-year-old superstar has agreed to a lucrative two-year contract worth an astonishing £35 million per season. Touching down at Le Bourget airport on Tuesday afternoon, Messi was met with an overwhelming reception from devoted PSG fans who had been eagerly waiting since early morning to welcome the football icon. It was a sight that took Europe by surprise, as many had assumed Messi would finish his illustrious career at Barcelona. Wearing a Paris-themed T-shirt, Messi couldn’t contain his excitement as he waved to his new supporters, putting the recent tears shed over his Barcelona departure behind him.
Lionel Messi proudly shows off the distinctive Paris Saint-Germain jersey, signifying the successful transfer from his former club, Barcelona.
Just moments prior to the big announcement, PSG created suspense by sharing a captivating teaser on Twitter. The short video clip showcased him standing confidently in the center circle, building up excitement among fans.
Earlier in the day, Messi was seen wearing the PSG kit, sporting his iconic No 30 shirt from his Barcelona days. This major acquisition adds to PSG’s already impressive roster, as they have managed to sign the captains of both Barcelona and Real Madrid on free transfers this summer. By doing so, PSG has formed one of the most expensive attacking lines in history, with Messi’s contract being only slightly less lucrative than Neymar’s estimated £37m annual deal. The star-studded trio upfront is completed by Kylian Mbappe, who, although currently in the final year of his contract, has rejected three contract renewal offers from PSG and is eagerly awaiting a free transfer to Real Madrid next year. In a recent statement, Messi expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter in his career with Paris Saint-Germain, emphasizing how the club perfectly aligns with his football ambitions. He is determined to contribute to something extraordinary for the club and its fans.
Messi gets ready to sign his Paris Saint-Germain agreement, seated by the side of the team’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Messi sports his new team’s training gear while undergoing a routine medical examination, flashing a joyful thumbs up.
The medical examination of the Argentine player took place before his move to Parc des Princes, subjecting him to various physical tests. The excitement surrounding Messi’s arrival has already taken hold of PSG fans, as evidenced by the rapid sell-out of his replica jersey in the club shop immediately following the announcement of his confirmation. It remains uncertain how Messi’s arrival will impact Mbappe’s decision to stay and PSG’s ability to retain him without violating UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations. As Messi has not participated in training sessions since winning the Copa America with Argentina last month, it is possible that his debut will be postponed until the game against Reims on August 29. In his first season at Barcelona, 16 years ago, Messi donned the No. 30 shirt, which he will once again wear at PSG.
Lionel Messi greeted his excited followers upon his arrival in Paris on Tuesday, sporting a shirt that bore the slogan ‘Ici c’est Paris,’ meaning ‘Here is Paris’ when translated to English. This phrase holds significant popularity within PSG’s merchandise and branding, and Messi made a stylish statement by proudly wearing it.
Messi completed his medical examination at the American Hospital in Paris and greeted the spectators while sporting a PSG face mask. Shortly after, he officially inked a two-year contract with the possibility of extending for an additional season.
For the past four years, Barcelona had persistently endeavored to bring back Neymar after PSG triggered his £198m release clause. They even traveled to Paris two summers ago in an unsuccessful bid to secure his return.
Following constructive initial discussions among the concerned parties, it was widely anticipated that Messi would renew his contract with Barcelona. However, the expiration of his original agreement this summer rendered him a free agent.
Lionel Messi was filled with joy as he took to a private jet with his wife Antonella, embarking on a journey to Paris where he would finalize his much-anticipated agreement with PSG.
Messi was spotted at the airport earlier this week and it has been confirmed that he will be heading to France for the next two years, bidding farewell to LaLiga.
Messi bid his farewell and shared a warm embrace before going through airport security, marking the end of his Barcelona era as he prepared to embark on his journey to sign his PSG contract. However, due to financial regulations in LaLiga, the renowned 34-year-old was unable to formalize his move and instead found himself heading to the Parc des Princes to reunite with his fellow Rosario native, Mauricio Pochettino.
In the midst of the transition, pictures emerged of Messi alongside four PSG players – Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Marco Verratti, and Leandro Paredes – enjoying a meal in Ibiza. Barcelona later confirmed Messi’s departure within 24 hours of the gathering. During his farewell press conference, Messi dismissed the significance of the gathering, referring to it as a mere ‘coincidence.’ However, he will now have the opportunity to join forces with the quartet in Paris.
Messi shed light on the situation, stating, “Coincidence? Absolutely. We happened to meet in Ibiza, spent time together, and became friends. I had planned to meet Paredes and Di Maria, and then Neymar reached out and asked if I wanted to see him.”
The photo capturing their joyful time together was shared in the spur of the moment, as they were enjoying each other’s company. At the time, there was a running joke among them, with repeated invitations for Messi to join them in Paris.
After an incredible 21-year journey, Lionel Messi bids farewell to Barcelona as he embarks on a new chapter in his football career. The legendary player has recently reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain, signing a two-year contract with the renowned club.
Messi has joined forces with his compatriot and former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino (left) at the Parc des Princes.
Neymar and Messi formed a formidable duo during their time at Barcelona, and even after Neymar’s move to Paris, they have managed to stay in touch.
Messi experienced deep sadness and shed tears during his recent farewell press conference, where he shared that his departure was not by choice. Despite agreeing to a significant pay reduction of 50%, Messi insisted that he did everything within his power to help Barcelona reach an agreement. Unfortunately, Spanish employment laws prohibit options such as playing for free. With a heavy heart, Messi expressed, “There’s nothing more to tell. Anything else, I cannot say. One thing that is clear is that I did everything possible. The club, Laporta, they couldn’t make it happen due to LaLiga.”
Throughout his remarkable career spanning 21 years, Messi’s association with Barcelona began when he joined the club at the age of 15. At a mere 16 years old, he made his senior debut in 2004 and went on to amass an impressive total of 778 appearances. Messi’s journey at Barcelona witnessed extraordinary achievements, such as becoming the club’s all-time leading goal scorer with a staggering 672 goals. This includes an impressive tally of 120 goals in the Champions League and a record-breaking 474 goals in LaLiga. Additionally, he earned 10 LaLiga titles, four Champions League trophies, and seven Copa del Rey victories. Messi’s remarkable abilities also earned him the prestigious European Golden Shoe accolade on six occasions as the top scorer on the continent.
The charming island of Ibiza witnessed the presence of a 34-year-old individual who was enjoying their time alongside the prominent figures of the club. The notable attendees included the likes of Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Marco Verratti, and Leandro Paredes.
Jorge, the father of Messi, took on a key role in the negotiations to facilitate his son’s transition to PSG, marking a significant departure from his long-standing association with Spanish clubs for over two decades.
Messi, the football legend, holds an impressive record with his collection of six Ballon d’Or awards. Furthermore, throughout his remarkable journey at the Nou Camp, he achieved tremendous success by winning an astounding four Champions League trophies.
Messi appeared visibly shattered as he engaged in conversations with both the press and his fellow players at the Nou Camp just before his imminent departure.
According to reports, President Joan Laporta had made Messi a top priority this summer, with the goal of signing him until 2026. Messi was willing to take a 50% pay cut from his previous contract, which was valued at over £425 million for four years, in order to comply with LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations. This would have meant a reduction of £250,000 per week on the proposed new five-year contract. Despite the financial sacrifice, the 34-year-old was willing to accept it so he could continue playing for Barcelona in LaLiga. However, this plan was not feasible, and Laporta did not blame Messi for his departure. Instead, Laporta stated that Messi had made it easier for the club to extend his contract, but the club was unable to do so within LaLiga’s salary restrictions. During a press conference, Laporta emotionally expressed his belief that the previous administration’s mismanagement, which resulted in a debt of €1 billion, was the root cause of these difficulties faced by the club.
Barcelona dropped a major bombshell last night, announcing that their 34-year-old star player will not be continuing with the club. The cause behind this unexpected departure is the financial limitations imposed on Barcelona by LaLiga.
At the tender age of 16, he made his first official appearance in 2004 and went on to showcase his talents a staggering 778 times, establishing himself as a pivotal figure in the team.
Messi has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming Barcelona’s all-time top scorer, surpassing the previous record with an impressive tally of 672 goals. Among these goals, 120 were scored in the Champions League, while a record-breaking 474 were achieved in LaLiga.
However, Messi’s journey with Barcelona has taken a surprising turn. His father, Jorge, traveled to Barcelona to finalize the new contract and officially seal the deal. Unfortunately, during a dinner meeting, he received unexpected news that a new contract was no longer possible. This left him stunned and disappointed.
The separation between Messi and Barcelona has been emotionally challenging for both parties involved. In fact, a lawyer representing a loyal group of Barcelona supporters has taken the matter to the European Court of Appeals. The complaint, based on financial data, claims that Paris Saint-Germain should be prevented from signing Messi.
Juan Branco, the lawyer, confirmed the filing of the complaint through a statement on Twitter. He expressed that it was on behalf of the Barcelona socios, and along with the European Commission, they are seeking a provisional suspension through civil and administrative courts in France.
The basis of the complaint is the alleged financial disparities between PSG and Barcelona. Branco points out that PSG’s salary-to-income ratio in the 2019-2020 season was 99%, while Barcelona’s was 54%. He argues that it is unfair for “Financial Fair Play” to exacerbate the detrimental aspects of football-business and the manipulative influence of sovereign powers, resulting in a distortion of competitions.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s manager Ronald Koeman finds it difficult to come to terms with Messi’s departure from the club. Expressing his confusion, the Dutchman took to Twitter to wish Messi well after the unexpected news.
According to a document shared by Juan Branco, it was confirmed that the ‘socios’ had attempted to prevent the action, but their efforts proved unsuccessful.
In the year 2000, the talented young Messi, donning a mask in the bottom left, made a life-changing decision to enroll in Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy. This move came after he had showcased his exceptional skills playing for the Argentine club, Newell’s Old Boys.
Messi was left in a state of shock and disappointment when Barcelona could not renew his contract due to financial limitations. Commenting on the situation, former Everton and Southampton manager, Ronald Koeman, took to Twitter to convey his disbelief, stating that it is still difficult to comprehend that Messi will no longer be playing for Barcelona. Koeman expressed gratitude for everything Messi has done for the club and reminisced about their time working together. He praised Messi’s dedication and drive to succeed, acknowledging him as the best player in the world. Koeman concluded his message by wishing Messi and his family the best. Barcelona, in their official statement, attributed their failure to secure Messi’s signature for the next five years to financial and structural challenges, citing Spanish LaLiga regulations as an obstacle. The statement expressed the club’s heartfelt appreciation for Messi’s contributions and extended well wishes for his future endeavors, both personally and professionally.