Big boost for Barcelona as Messi and PSG end talks over contract renewal

Barcelona have received a big boost in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi. 

According to Le Parisien, the contract talks between the Argentine and PSG have completely shut down. 

It is said the two parties were miles apart with respect to fresh terms and so they are set to part ways with each other. 

The 35-year-old will be one of the big names who will become a free agent in 2023. 

The experienced forward has been linked with a return to Camp Nou, with manager Xavi Hernandez making no secret of his desire to bring his former team-mate back to Spain. 

Several reports have suggested the player is keen to re-join Barca as well. He is also said to be in regular communication with Xavi but Messi himself has denied they talk about his future as a player. 

Signing the Argentina international will not be an easy task with the Spanish club enduring financial difficulties at the moment. 

They have yet to register the contracts of Gavi, Sergi Roberto, Ronald Araujo and Marcos Alonso due to La Liga’s strict Financial Fair Play rules. 

Messi had left Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021 after they failed to meet the Spanish league’s financial regulations needed to register him. 

He joined PSG on a two-year deal worth £25m per year after tax but couldn’t make a big impact at the Parc des Princes in his debut campaign. 

However, the 35-year-old has been impressive for the Parisians this term with 15 goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances to his name. 

He also led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year, making him the red-hot favourite for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.