Paris Saint-Germain confirm the signing of Lionel Messi on a two-year deal
Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the signing of Lionel Messi on a two-year deal with the option of a further year at the Parc des Princes.
Messi, 34, arrived in the French capital on Tuesday afternoon to complete his switch to Mauricio Pochettino’s side after it was confirmed last week that he would not be extending his stay at Barcelona.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was set to sign a new five-year contract at the Camp Nou, but the club announced on Thursday that a deal could not be reached due to “financial and structural obstacles”.
The decisive stumbling block proved La Liga’s regulations on club spending, which was referenced by Barcelona in their official statement, despite Messi agreeing to take a 50-per-cent wage cut to push through the deal.
The Argentine commented that he “did everything” he could to extend his 21-year stay in Catalonia, but he will now be wearing the crest of another European heavyweight in PSG, linking up with former Barcelona team-mate Neymar.
https://twitter.com/PSG_English/status/1425189684985143298
During his farewell press conference, Messi added that his “blood ran cold” when he was told he was leaving the club, while he also hinted at the potential of signing for PSG, stating that a move to France is “a possibility, but nothing is agreed”.
Lionel Messi at PSG odds with Sky Bet
- Lionel Messi to win the 2021 Ballon d’Or: 2/5
- Lionel Messi to score against Barcelona in the 21/22 season: 6/4
- PSG to get 100+ league points: 3/1
- Lionel Messi to win the 2021 Ballon d’Or and PSG to win the 21/22 Champions League: 4/1
- Lionel Messi Top Champions League Goalscorer 21/22: 5/1
- Lionel Messi to score from outside the area on his first Ligue 1 start: 5/1
- Lionel Messi, Neymar & Mbappe all to score in the first Ligue 1 game they start together: 7/1
- PSG/Lionel Messi 21/22 UCL Winner/Top Scorer: 10/1
All odds stated in this article are accurate at the time of writing. You have to be 18+ to gamble. BeGambleAware
The emotionally-charged speech from a dewy-eyed Messi will remain forever etched in Barcelona lore as the moment he bid farewell to a club for whom he scored a record 672 goals, as well as winning 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and seven Copa del Reys.
Barca president Joan Laporta made keeping Messi at the Camp Nou his sole priority this summer, but financial complications have ultimately prohibited the club from retaining their most prized asset, bringing the end to an illustrious era in La Liga.
On signing for PSG, where he will wear the No. 30 shirt, Messi said: “The Club and its vision are in perfect harmony with my ambitions.
“I know how talented the players and staff are here. I am determined to build, alongside them, something great for the Club and for the fans.”
In the build-up to Messi signing for PSG, for whom he will reportedly earn £25m per year after tax — plus bonuses — the club’s social media accounts were having a field day posting teasers and counting down to arguably the biggest transfer in the history of football.
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 10, 2021
Their official Twitter account started with the classic glancing eyes emoji accompanied by a not-so-subtle montage of various Messi-themed snapshots, including the Argentina flag between two shirts of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Shortly after, an hourglass emoji was posted with an image of six Ballon d’Ors and a Parisian backdrop of the Eiffel Tower in what will surely go down as an iconic image in years to come…
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 10, 2021
A statement from PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi read: “I am delighted that Lionel Messi has chosen to join Paris Saint-Germain and we are proud to welcome him to Paris, with his family.
“He did not hide his desire to continue to evolve at the highest level and to win trophies. The ambition of the club is of course identical.
“The addition of Leo to our world-class team confirms the relevance and success of our recruitment.
“Together with our great coach and his staff, I look forward to seeing our team make history for all of our supporters around the world.”
