Paris Saint-Germain head coach Christophe Galatier announced the departure of world football star Lionel Messi from the French club after the end of the season. The main question remains the future path of the Argentinean. Will the striker trade his native Barcelona for big money from Saudi Arabia?
Time of Troubles at PSG Two years in Paris did not bring happiness to either the club or Messi himself. Leo, of course, won two French titles, but he was taken for another. The Argentine was supposed to help PSG win the Champions League. However, the Parisians frankly failed in the tournament and looked limp in important matches. The grandiose triumph of the Argentina national team at the World Cup in Qatar diverted attention from Lionel's club problems. The euphoria soon passed, and the situation in the team escalated again.
Leo decided to rush to Saudi Arabia for a «business meeting». This happened after the defeat in the match of the 33rd round of the championship of France from Lorient with a score of 1:3. Messi was only allowed to fly to the Middle East if he won. The Argentinean did not change his plans.
The result was a suspension from matches for two weeks. The football player had to apologize to the club and the fans. The conflict was settled, but it was clear that Messi's career in Paris was coming to an end. It is time to decide on the future.
The price of the issue is more than a billion euros The Argentine has a long-standing option in the MLS with Inter Miami. With a quiet life in America and guaranteed success on the field. After all, the level of football in the league is still not the highest.
However, even more money and peace of mind Leo promised in Saudi Arabia. Messi is extremely interested in Al-Hilal, who are ready to offer a two-year contract with a salary of 600 million euros per season. According to Foot Mercato, the football player's father has already agreed. Now it's up to the player himself.
The Saudi Arabian Championship, where Cristiano Ronaldo is already playing, may seriously increase in the near future. Rumors are actively wooing there and the leader of Madrid “Real” Karim Benzema, and a number of other eminent stars.
With this option to continue a career, everything is clear. But there is a «native» — »Barcelona». The head coach of the Catalan club and friend of Messi Xavi has already told President Joan Laporte about the desire to return the Argentine to the team.
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"Yes, it makes sense to me. I have no doubt that if Messi comes back, he will help us in terms of football. Reported this to the President. I have no doubts, because Leo is still hungry for victories, because he is a winner, a leader. Given the way we want to play, I have no doubt that Messi will give us a lot. But it depends on him. I don't know, I can't get inside his head. The doors are open. If he wants to come, I have no doubts,” said Xavi, quoted by sport.es.
Laporta is not opposed, like everyone in Barcelona. The problem is that the Catalans don't have nearly as much money as Al-Hilal. LeParisen reported in April that Messi would have a salary of 10 million euros at Barça. Sport.es later spoke of 25 million. However, this is dozens of times lower than the sheikhs' offer.
The Argentine does not have much time left to make one of the main choices in his career. He can go to the call of his heart, return to Barça and perform at the highest level. He can choose crazy money, which will be enough for his family for several generations. But in this case, you will have to forget about the Champions League anthem forever.
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editors