PSG ‘Increasingly Pessimistic’ On Lionel Messi Contract Renewal Complicated By Financial Fair Play

Paris Saint Germain are “increasingly pessimistic” about Lionel Messi renewing his contract with them this summer, respected French sports publication L’Equipe has reported.

Messi becomes a free agent on June 30, less than a week after his 36th birthday. When he joined the Ligue 1 giants from FC Barcelona in the summer of 2021, Messi penned a two-year deal reported by AS and several other outlets to have come with the option of an additional season.

Earlier this month, SPORT reported that PSG will return to the negotiation table and present Messi’s father and agent Jorge Messi with an improved offer on the orders of the Emir of Qatar.

On Thursday, however, L’Equipe reports that there is growing pessism at the Parc des Princes when it comes to Messi agreeing fresh terms due to problems that PSG will encounter in navigating Financial Fair Play.

This week, the same outlet reported that PSG has 14 of the top 16 highest-paid players in France. Kylian Mbappe, who topped Forbes’ list of the Highest-Paid soccer players in 2022, takes the number one spot with €6 million ($6.5 million) monthly as Messi comes in third on €3.375 million ($3.7 million) to Neymar’s second place €3.675 million ($4 million).

If the reports of PSG losing hope are accurate, this will encourage other parties interested in signing Messi such as Inter Miami in the MLS and Barca.

While the Catalans cannot afford Messi’s current salary, Gerard Romero has reported that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner would be happy to accept a pay cut and a proposal adapted to his boyhood club’s current financial predicament.

Previously, El Nacional reported that Messi would be offered a €200,000 ($217,320) yearly wage and then the proceeds of his farewell match and possibly merchandising which could fetch between €100 and €200 million ($108.6 million to $217.2 million).

With the 2022/2023 season set to conclude in May, an announcement regarding Messi’s future could still take some time. Whatever the outcome, though, it is certain to send shockwaves through the football world and effect clubs on either side of the Atlantic.