Messi’s family make him leave PSG

FT Desk

• 8 Nov 2022 14:45 GMT
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi will leave PSG at the end of the season in order to satisfy the wishes of his family.

El Nacional reports that Messi’s immediate family, particularly his wife Antonella and children, have never settled in Paris and do not want to extend their stay in the French capital.

It is unclear whether Messi’s family will push for a return to Barcelona or take up the offer from Inter Miami in the United States.

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Messi’s contract with PSG expires at the end of the 2022-23 season, although he has an option to extend his deal by another year.

Barcelona would like to bring Messi back to Camp Nou, although his salary demands could prove problematic.

Meanwhile, it is widely reported that Inter Miami have put a lucrative offer on the table for Messi to join them in America next year.

The 35-year-old joined PSG from Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021.

He endured a difficult first season in Paris, scoring just four Ligue 1 goals all campaign and performing poorly as PSG were dumped out of the Champions League – capitulating from 2-0 up on aggregate to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid in the last-16.

However, he has been in superb form so far this campaign, already registering 12 goals and 14 assists.

But it is looking increasingly likely that he will leave after two years having failed to agree on a new contract.

Messi to return to Barcelona?

Barcelona are considered the favourites to re-sign Messi in the summer.

Messi broke virtually every record during over 20 years at Camp Nou, scoring an incredible 672 goals in 778 games.

He also won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League, in addition to numerous other individual and team honours.

But Barcelona were unable to sign him to a new deal in the summer of 2021 – mainly for financial reasons - leading to an infamous farewell press conference in which Messi broke down and cried.