Lionel Messi’s 21-year tenure at the Nou Camp may come to an end after he was photographed dining with PSG players barely 24 hours before it was revealed that he had drastically changed his mind about re-signing with Barcelona.
Long after his contract expired, the Catalan team has been negotiating to re-sign their club legend, but they have been having trouble finding the wage budget to support him.
The club has confirmed that Messi will not be joining them for the upcoming season after the superstar reportedly changed his mind after becoming “unhappy” with his pay cut and the caliber of the current squad. All indications had been that Messi would pledge his future as he began talks with president Joan Laporta.
His abrupt change of heart may also be indicated by a photo that surfaced of him having dinner with PSG players. He was seen with Italian sensation Marco Verratti, Argentina teammates Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes, and former Barcelona teammate Neymar.
With ‘Amigos’ as the caption, Neymar, who has previously spearheaded calls for Messi to accompany him in Paris, posted a picture of the five out in Ibiza that received almost six million likes.
After it was confirmed that Messi will be formally departing the Nou Camp after just over 20 years, his smiles alongside the PSG stars will further heighten rumors that the Parc de Princes may be his next stop.
When former president Josep Bartomeu maintained that any club would have to pay his 700 million euro release clause, Messi nearly left the team last summer after telling Barca via burofax that he wanted to leave. However, he grudgingly opted to stay.
Then, after they clicked so brilliantly at Barcelona, Neymar fanned the flames by confessing that he was itching to play with Messi once more.
In December, Neymar stated, “I want nothing more than to play with Messi again and be able to enjoy him on the field once more.”
“I don’t mind at all if he plays in my place.” However, I definitely want to play with him the next year. Next season, we must do it.
As Messi’s contract was about to an end, di Maria, who is also in the picture, stated in April that it would be “wonderful” to play with him at the club level.
“I believe Leo is from another planet based on my entire career and everything I’ve seen.” “It would be great to have him as a teammate,” he told BeIn Sports.
However, he has a contract and plays for Barcelona. Then we shall see. I speak with him frequently, and I constantly emphasize to him that his and his family’s happiness is what matters most. It’s difficult to say anything more.
Leandro Paredes, another member of his Argentina team, has also spoken openly his wish to have Messi join him at PSG, claiming the team would accept him “with open arms.”
Messi at PSG? In December, he told ESPN, “I hope so; we all want him to come, but it will be his decision.”
Leandro Paredes, another member of his Argentina team, has also spoken openly about his wish to have Messi join him at PSG, claiming the team would accept him “with open arms.”
Messi at PSG? In December, he told ESPN, “I hope so; we all want him to come, but it will be his decision.”
It follows the shocking announcement that Messi’s amazing time with Barcelona is finally coming to an end.
Barcelona shocked everyone by accusing La Liga of ‘economic difficulties’ that prevented them from offering him a new, lucrative deal.
It stated that “economic and structural obstacles (Spanish La Liga regulations) prevent FC Barcelona and Leo Messi from formalizing their agreement, even though both parties have made it clear they intend to sign a new contract today.”
Lionel Messi will no longer be associated with FC Barcelona in light of this circumstance. The inability to ultimately meet the player’s and the club’s wishes is profoundly regretted by both parties.
“Barca sincerely appreciates the player’s contribution to the institution’s improvement and wishes him the best in both his personal and professional lives.”