MY ACCOUNT
Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer — but his next destination remains a mystery.
Reports earlier this week suggested the Argentine ace had struck a deal worth £522million to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, where he would line up against his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East.
But Messi’s father Jorge has rubbished those claims, suggesting no agreement has yet been reached with any club.
We take a closer look at the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s situation.
Goodbye Paris
The only thing that can be categorically ruled out at this stage is the prospect of Messi extending his stay in the French capital.
When the 2022 World Cup winner signed a two-year deal with PSG back in August 2021, expectations were high — and on the pitch, Messi has delivered.
His 20 goals and 19 assists across 37 appearances this term have been instrumental in putting Les Parisiens on the cusp of a second straight Ligue 1 title.
However, the French champions have once again failed in their pursuit of a maiden Champions League crown and recent fan anger has been directed towards the club’s highest earning stars.
A contract extension was therefore already looking bleak before last week’s unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia appeared to put a final nail in the coffin.
Though Messi has since apologised for the two-day visit and is back in training, the damage caused between player and club appears beyond repair.
Money talks
Fittingly, Saudi Arabia is one of the destinations that has been touted for Messi next season.
Al-Hilal, the 18-time Pro League champions, are supposedly desperate to land the megastar and pit him against his old foe Ronaldo, who plays for their domestic rivals Al-Nassr.
Turning 36 in June, Messi may only have one big move left before hanging up his boots and the lucrative financial package on offer is sure to appeal.
Adding in the fact he has an ambassadorial role with the country’s tourist board, a move certainly makes sense — though the player’s father says talk of a pre-agreement is fabricated.
Posting on social media, Jorge Messi said: “There are always rumours and many use the name of Lionel to gain notoriety, but the truth is only one and we can assure that there is nothing agreed with anyone.”
American dream
Many of the footballing world’s biggest stars choose to wind down their career in America’s MLS — and Inter Miami could be a perfect fit for Messi.
Part-owned by none other than David Beckham, the Florida-based outfit were only formed in 2018 and are still very much in their development phase as a club.
Last season’s sixth-placed finish was their best league performance to date and the club’s backers are keen to build on that success with a blockbuster signing.
MLS analyst Taylor Twellman claimed this week that Miami’s offer for Messi remains “on the table”, though the club accept they are not currently at the front of the queue.
Emotional return
The ideal destination for Messi himself would likely be a return to his beloved Barcelona.
He remains the Catalan club’s all-time top scorer with a stunning 672 strikes across 21 glorious years, earning him God-like status among the club’s supporters.
It is widely acknowledged that Messi never wanted to exit the Camp Nou in the first place, only leaving due to the club’s horrendous financial situation.
Though he and Barca would undoubtedly love a return this summer, those issues still persist — making a reunion seemingly just a pipe dream.
While there remains even a slight chance, however, football romantics around the globe will be willing for the great man to return home.
