If Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain are still discussing a possible contract extension, the “Pulga” may begin against Rennes, Sunday for the 28th day of Ligue 1, its farewell tour at the Parc des Princes.
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“It’s too early to know what will happen,” replies Christophe Galtier about the Argentine genius. The coach knows “that Leo, the sports management and the president talk a lot, but I don’t know the ins and outs of the discussions”.
Messi is having a better second season at PSG, his manager points out that he managed “18 goals and 17 assists”, but his propensity to play while walking annoys some supporters and observers. And if he saved his team several times at the end of the match, he did not prevent the sinking in the Champions League.
“I saw some criticism of his match at Bayern Munich (2-0 defeat and elimination in the round of 16), but he is not the only one, he has been very often decisive this season”, insists Galtier, adding that Messi “is important in the locker room by his behavior, at his age (36 years old in June) he trains every day, he is happy to play his partners”.
On the side of the management of PSG also it is recalled that “nothing has been decided” and that “the two parties have been discussing together for a while”.
Financial fair play compliant
These negotiations remain very discreet, but the club does not intend to increase it: “We could only extend it at a price in line with financial fair play”, we learn from a source in management.
Messi receives around 30 million euros per season, and the club must suffer a deficit of 370 M EUR last season, and around 150 M EUR for the current one according to L’Équipe.
PSG could consider building a workforce around Kylian Mbappé and breaking the “MNM” Messi-Neymar-Mbappé. If Neymar leaves, despite his current contract until 2027, Paris could keep Messi for another season, but the Brazilian, operated on his right ankle, seems to want to stay.
The popular pressure should not weigh in the choice of the Argentinian. If the social networks squeal with criticism of Messi’s involvement, Galtier does not fear at all the whistles of the supporters against Messi at the Park, as it happened last season after the elimination against Real Madrid (1-0 / 1-3).
” But no! They have no reason to whistle our players, they gave their all in this competition. We were not eliminated because of such or such but because Bayern Munich arrived in better shape than us on this double confrontation, ”replies the technician.
Barcelona, Saudi Arabia, Miami
In Brest on Saturday, the Parisian ultras encouraged the team all game and did not whistle anyone, so they should not show resentment against Messi against Rennes.
After Rennes, there will still be at least five matches left for Messi at the Parc, against Lyon, Lens, Lorient, Ajaccio and Clermont, for the last day, June 3.
For his part, the star keeps several irons in the fire. If he plans to stay at PSG, his father Jorge, who manages his business, has been seen in Saudi Arabia and Barcelona, hard to imagine that there has never been talk of contracts.
The captain of the world champions could return to the club of his heart, for a last lap. Because among his last goals of a gigantic career, he would like to steal the record for goals in C1 from Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese, who joined Saudi Arabia, at Al-Nassr, remained at 140 goals, Messi is at 129, only PSG and Barça can allow him to satisfy this quest.
David Beckham’s Inter Miami are also trying to attract the legend, but the North American MLS club seem to be coming from afar, even if the Messis already have a base in Florida.
So what will Messi do? Galtier kicks in touch: “Knowing if Léo should be there next season, it depends on the will of each other”. But the technician assures that “Léo is happy in the locker room”.