Lionel Messi Camp Releases Official Statement On Player’s Future

Lionel Messi’s camp, led by the player’s father and agent Jorge Messi, has released an official statement on the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s future.

Messi currently plies his trade with Paris Saint Germain where his contract expires on June 30. Last week, Fabrizio Romano reported that Jorge Messi had told the Parisians his son will not continue at the Parc des Princes next term.

The Argentine has been strongly linked with former club FC Barcelona. In the past couple of days, however, reports from El Chiringuito in Spain and the AFP in France have stating that Messi’s next destination is Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Mouthwatering figures that Messi will allegedly earn in the Middle East range between €350-600 million ($383-656 million) a year and would immediately put him in line to top Forbes’ list of the World’s Highest Paid Athletes.

In the most recent edition, Messi finished on $130 million and was second to generational rival Cristiano Ronaldo who plays for Al-Hilal’s arch nemesis Al-Nassr.

On Tuesday afternoon, however, Jorge Messi debunked the rumors and started by saying in an official statement that “there is absolutely nothing with any club for next year”, or rather season, when it comes to having an agreement in place.

“The decision will never be made before Lionel finishes the league with PSG. Once the season is over, it will be time to analyze and see what there is, and then make a decision,” Jorge Messi added.

“There are always rumors and many use the name of Lionel to gain notoriety, but there is only one truth and we can assure you that there is nothing with anyone. Neither verbal, nor signed, nor agreed, and there won’t be until the end of the season.”

Jorge Messi lamented what he deems to be a “lack of respect from the media”, who “deceive consciously and deliberately, without providing any proof of their claims” and try to “transform into news any malicious rumor” or work in favor of the interests of others.

If Jorge Messi’s words are anything to go by, an official announcement on which direction Lionel has decided to take should be due no sooner than June 3 when champions-in-waiting PSG play their last Ligue 1 game of the season at home to Clement Foot.