End of an era: Messi’s departure from PSG expected at season’s end

A club insider has reported that Lionel Messi is “much more likely” to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season than to sign a new contract.

The source stated that “the dynamics have completely changed with PSG less pushing to renew (his contract),” and that “no deal, no exit yet.” However, exit is much more probable.

Messi, who won the World Cup and turns 36 in June, signed a two-year contract in 2021 that ends at the end of this season.

As the teams were announced on Sunday ahead of PSG’s Ligue 1 home loss to Lyon by a score of 1-0, some PSG fans mocked the Argentine.

Since Bayern Munich eliminated them from the Champions League in the last 16 a month ago, supporters of the club owned by Qatar are dissatisfied with the team’s current state of affairs.

In 2023, PSG have lost eight of their 18 games, which has forced them to miss out on the French Cup early despite remaining six points ahead of the leaders.

Regarding the likelihood of Messi’s contract being renewed and the supporters’ response over the weekend, the source stated, “The fans have changed things completely.”

In 67 appearances for PSG across all competitions, Messi has contributed to 32 goals and scored 29 goals. However, since he led Argentina to victory at the World Cup in Qatar at the end of last year, his performance has decreased.

He is viewed by some fans as a symbol of everything the club has failed to do, including focusing on superstar signings and failing to build a truly competitive team.

PSG must comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations at a time when Messi’s wages cost the club approximately 40 million euros ($43.6 million) per year.

However, there have been rumors that the club may offer him a new contract with a lower salary. After Messi left Barcelona, where he won four Champions League titles, two years ago, the Catalan club has been openly courting the Argentine star in an effort to entice him back to the Camp Nou.

He quit Barcelona because the club couldn’t afford to keep him. Last week, Barca vice president Rafael Yuste admitted that there had been “contact” with Messi and stated, “I would love it if he returned.”

He has also been talked about moving to Major League Soccer, where Inter Miami might want to sign him. PSG would likely be doubly determined to keep Kylian Mbappe for at least one more season if Messi left, a year after convincing the France striker to sign a new contract and reject Real Madrid offers.

Coach Christophe Galtier, who was only hired in July but has come under a lot of pressure due to recent results, is also under scrutiny, along with Messi’s future.