Lionel Messi pressured to join Paris Saint-Germain

Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have been quite the rivals over the years as they have faced each other many times in the UEFA Champions League.

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They have also cracked deals and had disputes over the years. Barcelona sold Neymar Jr to them a few years ago for a massive amount of money and Paris Saint-Germain on the other hand have refused to sell many players like Thiago Silva and Marco Veratti to the La Liga giants.

It looks like both Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris Saint Germain and Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona may cross each other’s paths in the transfer window again as Lionel Messi has been heavily linked to the French champions, ever since he handed in the transfer request in the summer transfer window of 2020.

The Blaugranas and the French giants are set to face each other in the Champions League round-of-16 stage in the upcoming month. The clash would prove to be interesting as a defeat for Barca could convince the Argentine into planning for his departure, while a victory might deter him from making a move to Paris.

Lionel Messi being pressured.

Many sources have confirmed the French side’s interest in bringing Messi to the Parc des Princes. Newly-appointed boss, Pochettino has also stated that it would be lovely to have his fellow Argentine in his squad and that it’s the club’s “big dream” to land the magician. The 33-year-old playmaker’s national teammate Leandro Paredes has also stated that it would be a fantastic move for PSG to land the Barcelona legend.

Barcelona legend, Rivaldo, has also recently backed Messi’s move to PSG. It is almost as if the Argentine is being pressurized into joining the French giants.

PSG and Manchester City remain the only two clubs that can afford to pay Messi’s wage bill. While Messi remains focused at the task on hand in the Nou Camp, the 2021 summer transfer window will unravel Messi’s future and which club he will be joining. As of now, it looks like he will finish the season and his contract with Barcelona.