Fri 02 June 2023:
Argentina’s top footballer according to coach Christophe Galtier, Lionel Messi will depart Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the end of the season after two years with the club.
Messi’s final match at the Parc des Princes will be against Clermont on Saturday, according to Galter. Messi’s contract expires at the end of June.
“I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football,” Galtier said. “This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes.”
Messi, who has 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG in all competitions this season, signed a two-year contract with the club after leaving Barcelona.
The 35-year-old, who led Argentina to a world championship at the Qatar World Cup in December and has a record seven Ballon d’Or honors, won Ligue 1 with PSG in 2021-22 and 2022-23, as well as the French Super Cup in July 2022.
PSG recruited Messi in August 2021 with the ambition to finally win the Champions League. The team is still waiting.
Messi is also the team’s all-time scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances, and the top scorer in the Spanish league with 474 goals in 520 matches.
Last month, French media reported that Messi was suspended for two weeks after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia when he was supposed to train with his team following their 3-1 defeat at home to Lorient in the league.
“This year, he has been an important part of the team, always available. I don’t think any of the comments or criticisms are justified,” Galtier said.
“He’s always been there for the team. It’s been a great privilege to accompany him throughout the season.”
“I have no news about Messi”
The President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Yasser Al-Misehal, said he has no news on whether Lionel Messi is moving to the Saudi Pro League (ROSHN)’s tournament this summer, Arabi21 reported.
“I have no news about Messi. Like you, I hear news from the media,” Meshal told the Saudi SSC TV channel, according to Arabi21.
Messi’s future at PSG had been the subject of much speculation recently with reports saying he had received a formal offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal next season.
Messi has a commercial contract with Saudi Arabia to promote tourism in the Middle Eastern country and has been linked with a lucrative move there at the end of the season.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
______________________________________________________________
FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:
TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent
FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE)
https://web.facebook.com/ipindependent
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
