Lionel Messi has already admitted “everything changed” after winning the World Cup and that seemingly includes his Paris Saint-Germain contract demands.
The 35-year-old had looked certain to remain in the French capital beyond the end of this season, when his current contract expires. Prior to the tournament in Qatar, reports had suggested the two parties were closing in on an agreement.
However, following his exploits for Argentina, the narrative quickly changed with all signs instead pointing towards an exit. Lionel’s father, Jorge, was spotted in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after claims he could join Cristiano Ronaldo in the country emerged.
Ronaldo shocked the world by leaving European football for Al-Nassr signing an eye-watering £173 million-per-year contract in the process. Reports claimed that Al-Hilal were preparing a financial package for Messi that would equal his old rival’s with the same image rights and contractual responsibilities.
And new claims from Marca suggest that Messi’s negotiating position changed in light of his success on the international stage at the end of last year. A meeting was held between his father, agent and PSG bosses, but no agreement was reached.
Messi, despite saying how happy he is in his second season with the Ligue 1 champions, has previously conceded how his World Cup triumph had switched his mindset. "I always thank God. I knew he was going to give me a World Cup, I don't know, I felt it. Luckily he gave himself what we dreamed of so much,” he explained in January.
"Luckily it happened in the end. From that day everything changed for me. Now we can say it."
The Barcelona legend signed a two-year deal with PSG in the summer of 2021 and, after a difficult first season, has now reached his top level. In total, he has 18 goals and 19 assists and has spoken of his happiness at the Parc des Princes.
"I like Paris a lot more now, I have discovered the city and I find it magnificent," Messi said. "In the first year, there was a huge change. Things happened very suddenly, it was not my objective to leave Barcelona, and everything about it was very abrupt.
"After this long period and the difficult times, I am happy to live where I live, and my family and I are enjoying Paris. It was hard at the start, we had stayed all our lives in the same place, I had never moved, and I did not know what it was like to leave.”
However, his future remains in doubt as PSG look to avoid further punishments for breaching UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations. PSG were one of 10 clubs fined and were hit with a €10m fine, with a further €45m suspended.
PSG insist they still have the capital to keep Messi at the club with another overhaul expected after more Champions League disappointment. Manager Christophe Galtier looks certain to be moved on after their limp exit at the hands of Bayern Munich, while Neymar could also be moved on if a suitor is found.
