Lionel Messi Announces Paris Saint-Germain Exit

Lionel Messi has confirmed he will leave Paris Saint-Germain in comments made to ESPN.

Hours before the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner should take to the field to face Clermont Foot on Saturday, Messi was revealed as saying: “I am happy to have been able to represent PSG.”

“I really enjoyed playing on this team and with such good players. I want to thank the club for a wonderful experience in Paris,” he added.

Messi’s remarks come after transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano reported how the player’s father and agent Jorge Messi told PSG they will move on when his contract expires on June 30.

On Thursday, PSG coach Christophe Galtier indicated that Messi would leave the club too.

“I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football,” Galtier reflected. “This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes.”

PSG attempted to dismiss Galtier’s words by denying that Messi has decided to depart after a two-year tenure in the French capital. Furthermore, they have also included the forward in a clip to promote their new shirt in 2023/2024.

Now, however, Messi has personally stated he will leave France at a time he is heavily linked to Al-Hilal, former club FC Barcelona, and Inter Miami in the MLS.

Earlier on Saturday, SPORT reported that Al-Hilal have decided to announce Messi signing with them on June 6.

According to El Chiringuito, Messi has accepted a €350 million ($375 million) a year offer to join the Saudi giants where he would once more face off against generational rival Cristiano Ronaldo who now plays for Al-Nassr.

By receiving such a sum, Messi would also knock Ronaldo from the top of Forbes’ list of the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes in 2024. In the last edition, Ronaldo edged Messi with earnings of $136 million compared to Messi’s $130 million.

Messi will leave PSG with two Ligue 1 titles to his name, but also two failures in the Champions League from which they were eliminated in the last 16 in back-to-back campaigns.