Lionel Messi leaving PSG is now “much more likely”

The departure of star Lionel Messi from Paris Saint Germain his contract expiring in June is now “much more likely but not certain”, a source close to the club admitted to AFP on Tuesday, suggesting a change in policy for the Paris team.

“The dynamic has completely changed at PSG, who are putting less pressure to renew their contract and the attitude of the fans has completely changed the situation,” added this source.

In the last two Ligue 1 matches of the Parisian team at the Parc des Princes, shortly after the painful elimination in the round of 16 of the Champions League against Bayern Munich, part of the PSG fans booed every time Messi’s name was announced in the lineup through the loudspeaker.

Those two games also resulted in two defeats for PSG, against Rennes and Lyon, and Messi, who turns 36 in June, has shown little evidence of his genius and at times walked away.

The attitude of the Parisian fans, who consider Messi one of the main responsible for the new European fiasco, contrasts with his triumphant return from the World Cup in Qatar, where he raised the trophy he fought for throughout his career. Everything led to believe that Messi’s contract would be renewed.

less ostentation

The truth is also that since he landed in Paris in 2021 and save for a few specific moments, the Messi who for years enchanted everyone in Barcelona has not been seen at PSG.

And, above all, the star arrived at PSG with the aim of taking the ambitious Parisian club to the much-desired Champions League title, but both seasons ended with eliminations in the round of 16.

As with several of his teammates, the Argentine did not stand out in the clash of the round of 16 of the Champions League, lost a month ago to Bayern Munich.

PSG’s Qatari owners are well aware of the advantages of having the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner under contract. Upon arriving in the French capital, where he was received like an emperor, he helped to give visibility to Ligue 1, increase the number of sponsors and make PSG talked about all over the world.

But the panorama has changed and PSG is willing to modify its sports policy, around a single big star, Kylian Mbappé, a less ostensive project and more careful with the youth categories of the Parisian region, according to a world “producer” of professional players after São Paulo.

Barca dream of a comeback

Negotiations for the renewal of his contract, valid until 2024, should occupy the Parisian summer, as well as the situation of coach Christophe Galtier and adviser Luis Campos, also identified as “responsible” for the European debacle.

With or without them, PSG “want to carry out a complete cultural transformation”, explains a source close to the club’s management.

“Letting Messi go would be the continuation of that cultural change, but the fans will have to adapt, because you can’t have it both ways. If you opt for youth, it means the results won’t be automatic. You’ll need a little patience.” , explains this source.

Messi’s future, however, is not defined and negotiations continue. But the The team has the headline “In process of divorce” and for the Rdio RMCthe Argentine “will not be Parisian next season unless Doha changes course”.

In case of departure, the most real possibilities for Messi would be a return to Barcelona, ​​the dream of the Catalan club, or going to the rich Saudi league, where his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo plays, or to the American MLS, where Inter de Miami was the club that showed the most interest.

Last Friday, a Barça official, Rafael Yuste, admitted that “there are contacts with Messi”, although he assured that there are no plans for the time being to bring the Argentine back.

It looks like Messi is getting further and further away from Paris.