PSG following Messi situation at Barcelona ‘closely’, says Leonardo

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 17 May 2021 20:15 BST
• 4 min read

PSG sporting director Leonardo has revealed that the club do hold an interest in the future of Barcelona star Lionel Messi, but didn’t elaborate on any potential negotiations between the parties.

Messi has cut a frustrated figure at the Camp Nou this season, summed up by his performance in the recent Spanish Super Cup final against Athletic Bilbao which saw him sent off for the first time in his career with Barcelona, as they lost in extra-time.

Prior to the campaign, the Argentine requested the termination of his contract with the Blaugrana in order to move on to pastures new.

After becoming disillusioned with life at Barca off the pitch under the guidance of president Josep Maria Bartomeu, things reached boiling point for him with performances on the pitch after the club were eliminated from the Champions League in embarrassing fashion by Bayern, losing 8-2.

Messi would eventually agree to stay for one at least one more season, but as of 1 January he became free to talk to other clubs about a free transfer in the summer of 2021.

The likes of Man City, Inter, and PSG have been put on high alert with regards to his future.

Last month, FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that stores in Paris which sell PSG merchandise had been told to brace themselves for an influx of Messi-related kits and branding.

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

Though no agreement has materialised as of yet between Messi and PSG, Leonardo says they are definitely one of the clubs who retain an interest.

“Great players like Messi will always be on the PSG list,” the Brazilian told France Football.

“But this is of course not the time to talk about it, or to dream about it. But we are seated at the large table of those who are following the file closely.

“In fact, no, we are not yet seated, but our chair is just reserved in case. Four months in football is an eternity, especially in this period ”

At the moment, Barcelona are in the process of electing a new president to replace the exiled Bartomeu.

Several of the candidates have cited their main priority as keeping Messi at the club, even though his current stratospheric wages are presenting a problem for the club due to their current financial instability.