Lionel Messi set to leave PSG in the summer

RMC Sport report this afternoon that Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract this summer, unless the club’s Qatari owners decide to make his extension their top priority.

Although an agreement was reached in the wake of the Argentine’s World Cup win over an extension – the initial contract he signed in 2021 had an option for an additional season – the relationship between the parties involved has since deteriorated. Over the last few months, tensions have reportedly surfaced over the forward’s performances, as well as his entourage’s push for a better contract.

Messi’s apparent lack of commitment has also been criticised, despite turning in a much-improved campaign in his second year at the club, with 13 goals and 13 assists in Ligue 1 alone. Getting rid of his salary would also alleviate PSG’s Financial Fair Play commitments, given they recently signed an agreement with UEFA after being hit with a fine. Amid interest from his former club Barcelona, as well as Inter Miami in the MLS, the only scenario that would see Messi remain in the French capital would be if QSI choose to focus entirely on securing a renewal – and even then, many would like to see him leave the club.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin