Lionel Messi’s time at Paris Saint-Germain is set to come to an end at the end of the season after a chastening period for the club.
Messi was booed by a section of the PSG fans on Sunday after the team slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Lyon at the Parc des Princes. It was the star-studded side’s seventh defeat of 2023 already – a run which included yet another failure in the Champions League.
The 35-year-old joined PSG on a two-year deal in August 2021 and is facing a big decision, with his contract set to expire at the end of June. AFP and L’Equipe are both reporting that Messi will leave Paris this summer, leaving behind Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
Messi is in the twilight of his career, but still has plenty of mileage left, having propelled Argentina to the World Cup back in December. Despite PSG’s collective struggles, he has 18 goals and 17 assists in 33 appearances across all competitions for PSG.
Those impressive numbers and his star status means he won’t be short of suitors at the end of the season. Here Mirror Football has a look at the contenders.
Barcelona
The most obvious solution is for Messi to return to Barcelona, where he could try and add to his staggering tally of 672 goals, 778 appearances and 35 trophies.
Barca have not been subtle in making their desire to re-sign their greatest ever player. Manager – and Messi’s former team-mate – Xavi Hernandez has spoken openly about the possibility, president Joan Laporta has spoken to Messi’s father Jorge about it and vice-president Rafa Yuste has confirmed the club have looked into the idea. Barca have a lot of financial issues – but they would try everything to make it work.
It is also worth remembering that Messi did not want to leave Barcelona for Paris in August 2021, either. “We were convinced we were continuing here, at home," he tearfully said in his farewell speech. "I did all that I could to stay, because I wanted to stay."
Inter Miami
A move to Florida is the other most frequently mentioned destination for Messi. The MLS franchise, who are part-owned by David Beckham and coached by Phil Neville, have tried very hard to woo Messi.
And back in February The Times reported that Miami are ‘confident’ of signing him on a deal which would make him the highest-paid player in MLS history.
Messi has holidayed in Miami and is known to be interested in the idea of moving there to finish his playing career. But will Inter Miami have enough pulling power to convince him?
HAVE YOUR SAY! Where will Lionel Messi go in the summer? Comment below.
Al-Hilal
Cristiano Ronaldo ’s move to Al-Nassr at the start of the year has helped open up a potential new market: Saudi Arabia.
The Middle Eastern country has a lot of money to throw at football and creating a Ronaldo vs Messi reunion would attract a lot of attention at a time when they want as much as possible, in bidding to host the 2030 World Cup.
Mundo Deportivo have reported that Al-Nassr’s rivals Al-Hillal would be willing to pay Messi a staggering £245m-a-year – a figure which would dwarf Ronaldo’s £177m per year pay cheque. Stranger things have happened.
Newell’s Old Boys
Before Barcelona came Newell’s for Messi. He was born in Rosario and came up through his hometown club’s academy before moving across the Atlantic to make his name at Barca.
The idea that he might return to end his career where he started it has been suggested on numerous occasions – even by the man himself.
"The desire is always playing for Newell's – it is what I dreamed of as a kid," Messi told TyC Sports five years ago. "When I went to the club I imagined playing in the Primera Division, but I do not know what's going to happen in a few years. I cannot say I'm going back because I do not know where I'm going to be."
Newcastle
There are not many clubs who could even consider the possibility of signing Messi. Newcastle, thanks to the funding of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, are one of the select few.
It may seem a bit far fetched, especially considering the fairly reserved way in which the Magpies have invested their new-found wealth so far. But it becomes more plausible if Eddie Howe’s side qualify for the Champions League.
Messi has never played in the Premier League and the chance to do so may be of interest. A reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City could be more tempting in football terms – but Newcastle could tempt in a different way.
