Lionel Messi is set to draw the curtains on his Paris adventure, deciding to leave Paris Saint-Germain two years after his switch from Barcelona.
The Argentine had question marks over the club’s project for the future on the back of another disappointing season in the Champions League. But it was understood the Ligue 1 outfit were interested in extending his stay, and for several weeks Messi had a contract on the table in the French capital.
However, the former Barca star’s alleged unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia has proven to be the ‘final breaking point’.
Messi took a two-day trip to Saudi Arabia, where he has a role as a tourism ambassador, following his side’s 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Lorient on Sunday. After the development, PSG took the decision to suspend their superstar for two weeks. It is understood he is banned from training with the team and will see his pay docked during his suspension.
The possibility of Lionel Messi’s return to Barcelona
Many expected this to be the final nail in the coffin. And now, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Messi will depart the Ligue 1 leaders at the end of the season. There are “no doubts” about that anymore, he added.
However, Messi’s confirmed departure from PSG by no means, means he’s guaranteed to return to Camp Nou.
According to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, his return to Barcelona looks “less likely with each passing day”.
The club hierarchy is yet to put a formal offer on the table for Messi and his representatives to evaluate, with Barca yet to get a nod from La Liga with regards to the league’s financial fair play rules, which must be followed if the club are to get their legends’ signature for a second stint.
Barcelona still have to reduce their wage bill by at least €200m and register contracts of the likes of Gavi and Ronald Araujo. The departure of director of football Matue Alemany has led to further questions over the club’s plans for the summer transfer window.