PSG to offer Messi a contract Barcelona can't match

Karan Tejwani

1 Oct 2022 12:00 BST
3 min read

Lionel Messi’s future is up in the air as he enters the final months of his contract with French champions Paris Saint-Germain, with Barcelona keeping an eye on the situation.

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Messi joined PSG in the summer of 2021 on a two-year contract and he is in the last year of his deal, with the Argentine superstar considering his options.

Barcelona have repeatedly made it clear they are interested in bringing Messi back to the club, having let him go following the expiry of his contract and their difficult financial situation in 2021.

Joan Laporta, the club’s President, and manager Xavi, have expressed their happiness in wanting to bring Messi back to the Camp Nou, and are looking at ways they can get the deal done.

Barcelona and PSG set for battle

The Blaugrana have also been speaking about the economics behind the deal: they think they are now in a good financial position to get a deal over the line.

This past summer, they activated several economic levers to sign players and make the team competitive again, and they have a positive salary cap, allowing future signings without issues in registering them.

Messi, however, has reportedly said he will decide his future only after the World Cup in Qatar this December: his focus is on doing well until then and preparing well for the premier tournament.

Barcelona economic vice president Romeu on Leo Messi deal for June: “As it would be on a free, so surely it something that we can do. But it’d be a technical decision, anyways”. 🚨🔵🔴 #FCB

“There is salary margin, we made an effort this summer on salaries”@ReshadRahman_ pic.twitter.com/AdQbu6KeiE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 28, 2022

PSG, meanwhile, are preparing a package of their own that would ensure Messi stays in the French capital: they want to give him a one-year deal with an option for a further year on a €30 million-per-season salary, according to Sport.

The French champions have been unafraid to hand out big contracts, and it’s not a surprise they’re willing to do the same for Messi, who is still a big draw and one of their most productive players.

Whether he accepts or goes back to Barcelona remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the two clubs are the frontrunners for his signature in the coming months.