PSG Mercato: Lionel Messi has decided on his next destination
At the end of his contract on June 30th, Lionel Messi has not yet extended with PSG, but the 35-year-old striker knows what he wants for the next phase of his career.
Having arrived for free in August 2021, Lionel Messi is in his final months of his contract wearing the Paris Saint-Germain jersey. While Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and Luis Campos would like to see him stay until at least June 2024 with another year as an option, Messi does not yet know what his future holds for next season. However, the former captain of FC Barcelona reportedly has one certainty for his next destination. According to information gathered by the Catalan daily Sport, Messi would like to continue playing in Europe since he still feels capable of playing at a high level.
Exotic destinations such as the United States (Inter Miami), Argentina (Newell’s Old Boys), and Saudi Arabia (Al-Hilal) would not be in the current plans of the seven-time Golden Ball winner. The Spanish source explains that if Messi had previously considered retirement in a “second-tier” league, like Cristiano Ronaldo, he is now convinced of staying in the top tier of European football. And he has no shortage of suitors.
PSG Mercato: Paris SG faces competition for Lionel Messi
In addition to Paris Saint-Germain, with whom he has been discussing a two-year contract extension for several weeks, Lionel Messi would also have contacts elsewhere in Europe. According to Sport, FC Barcelona still dreams of their former playmaker’s return. Internally, Xavi Hernandez, the coach of the Blaugranas, is putting pressure on his management to see his former teammate arrive at the Camp Nou at the end of his contract with PSG.
In Italy, Inter Milan fans recently shouted to their president Steven Zhang, “Bring us Messi!” as the Chinese leader was leaving a lunch meeting, according to reports by TMW. However, several local and foreign sources believe that at present, it is PSG who holds the upper hand in this matter.
