- 23 hours ago
Paredes: PSG ready to welcome Messi with open arms
Martin Macdonald
- Updated: 17 May 2021 21:47 BST
- 4 min read
PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes says everyone at the club wants Lionel Messi to make the move from Barcelona, and that they would welcome him “with open arms”.
Messi is currently keen to leave Barcelona after becoming disillusioned with life on and off the pitch at the Camp Nou.
| Competition | Wins with Barcelona |
|---|---|
| La Liga | 10🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 |
| Champions League | 4 🏆🏆🏆🏆 |
| Copa del Rey | 6 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 |
| Supercopa de Espana | 8 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 3 🏆🏆🏆 |
| Club World Cup | 3 🏆🏆🏆 |
The 2019/20 season represented the first time in 12 years in which they failed to win a major trophy, while they were embarrassingly knocked out of the Champions League after a 8-2 defeat by Bayern.
He also regularly criticised former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who has since been exiled from the club.
The Argentine eventually asked to leave for free, with Barcelona denying the request, saying his release clause would have to be paid.
Messi’s Honours:
| Competition | Wins with Barcelona |
|---|---|
| La Liga | 10 |
| Champions League | 4 |
| Copa del Rey | 6 |
| Supercopa de Espana | 8 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 3 |
| Club World Cup | 3  |
Messi stayed, but will be available to move for free again this summer, and can start speaking to clubs in January.
Following PSG’s Champions League win against Man Utd on Wednesday, Neymar took the opportunity after the game to make known his desire to play alongside Messi once again. That statement, naturally, catalysed plenty of transfer speculation.
Neymar’s team-mate Paredes was then asked about the prospect of Messi joining, and his endorsement for the move was emphatic.
“Hopefully Messi comes,” he told TyC Sports.
“We all want him and we want him to come to PSG . But it is a matter for him to decide. The group here is incredible, they are a very good human group and it’s a great atmosphere of happy people in the dressing room.
“Leo will make the best decision for him, but we here await him with open arms.”
Messi and Barca have struggled as a whole this season under new head coach Ronald Koeman. The Blaugrana are currently seventh in La Liga, having lost four out of their opening nine games.
The Argentine, meanwhile, has been mostly relying on penalties to find the back of the net this campaign, though did score a marvellous goal before paying tribute to the late, great Diego Maradona in a win against Osasuna at the weekend.
