Transfer Centre

Lionel Messi 'uncertain over Paris Saint-Germain contract renewal'

By Ben Sully | 16 February 2023

Lionel Messi 'uncertain over PSG contract renewal'

Lionel Messi is reportedly growing increasingly unsure whether he should sign a new Paris Saint-Germain contract amid links with Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi is reportedly unsure whether to sign a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain amid links with MLS side Inter Miami.

The Argentina international is in the final six months of a two-year deal, leaving his future with PSG in doubt.

PSG director Luis Campos has previously indicated that the club are in talks with Messi about extending his stay at the Parc des Princes.

A recent report also revealed that Campos and Messi's agent and father Jorge Messi met in Paris on Wednesday to discuss a new contract.

While the two parties are still to reach an agreement over key details such as wages and the length of the new contract, there is an expectation that both sides are keen to reach a solution.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after the match on November 30, 2022 © Reuters

As a result, talks over a new deal with PSG are expected to continue over the coming weeks.

However, according to L'Equipe, Messi is becoming increasingly unsure whether to remain with the French champions beyond the end of his current contract.

The report goes on to state that MLS franchise Inter Miami are in pole position to sign the World Cup winner should he decide against extending his stay with PSG.

Messi already owns a house in Miami and regularly holidays there, while his family reportedly like the idea of living in the United States.

Inter Miami are owned by former David Beckham and coached by his former Manchester United teammates Phil Neville, who refused to rule out a move for Messi last month.

Lionel Messi in PSG training on August 19, 2022 © Reuters

"We want to bring the best players in the world to this club and he is probably the best player, so for us the landscape has not changed at all," Neville said.

"With any deal for any DP (Designated Player) of that level, it's complicated. It takes time."

While there have also been rumours linking Messi with a return to Barcelona and a move to Saudi Arabia, PSG are said to be confident that they can agree an extension with the 35-year-old.

Messi has scored 15 goals and provided 14 assists in 26 PSG appearances this season, but he was unable to prevent his side from losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Tuesday's result represents a third consecutive defeat for the Parisians, who will be hoping to get back on track when they face Lille on Sunday.