Transfer Centre

Lionel Messi 'leaning towards Paris Saint-Germain exit'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 21 February 2023

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lionel Messi is reportedly leaning towards not extending his contract with the French champions and could leave the club this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lionel Messi is reportedly leaning towards an exit from the club when his contract expires this summer.

Having been forced to bid a tearful farewell to Barcelona in 2021, Messi subsequently joined the French champions on a two-year contract with the option of a third.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner failed to hit his usual heights during his first season in Ligue 1, scoring just six top-flight goals as PSG regained the title from Lille.

However, the 35-year-old has formed a fearsome front three with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar this season, while also fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming world champion with Argentina.

Since returning from Qatar with a World Cup winners' medal, PSG have been working on a new contract for Messi, who could leave as a free agent this summer as things stand.

Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022 © Reuters

PSG can trigger a one-year option to keep Messi at the club until 2024, but according to L'Equipe, the ex-Barcelona man is leaning towards not signing a new deal.

The report claims that Messi was initially open to penning fresh terms at the Parc des Princes, but he has had a change of heart since the World Cup, and he will not be short of big-money offers.

A sensational return to Barcelona has been mooted, but Messi's father Jorge Messi has since ruled out that scenario, telling Sport: "I don't think he will return [to Barcelona]. The conditions are not there."

David Beckham-owned Inter Miami are also hopeful of tempting Messi to MLS, while links with Saudi Arabia - where Cristiano Ronaldo plies his trade - have also surfaced.

Ronaldo, whose on-field rivalry with Messi dominated European football for over a decade, joined Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr in January after his acrimonious exit from Manchester United.

Lionel Messi in action for Paris Saint-Germain on September 10, 2022 © Reuters

Messi would supposedly expect close to Ronaldo's £173m yearly wage to join his rival in Saudi Arabia, but he would be unlikely to join Al-Nassr and play on the same team as the 38-year-old.

A switch to Saudi Arabia is said to be the most likely option, as Messi is a tourism ambassador for the country, but PSG are not giving up hope of agreeing a new contract with the forward.

Messi has 16 strikes and 14 assists to his name from 27 games for PSG this season, and he scored a last-minute free kick to clinch a thrilling 4-3 win over Lille in Sunday's Ligue 1 clash.

In total, the Argentina international has scored 27 goals and set up 29 more in 61 appearances for PSG, who sit five points clear of Marseille at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

The future of Messi's fellow attacker Neymar has also been called into question in recent weeks, but the Brazilian reportedly has no plans to leave the club before his contract expires in 2027.