Lionel Messi agrees to stay at PSG

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 21 Dec 2022 19:27 GMT
• 3 min read

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World Cup winner Lionel Messi has given his word to PSG that he will remain with the Parc des Princes club for at least one additional year.

Le Parisien reports that Argentina star Messi, who netted twice in Sunday’s World Cup final victory over France, has agreed to remain in Ligue 1 for a further campaign.

Messi had been linked with a potential move to Inter Miami, while it was also suggested that Barcelona might be interested in taking him back to Camp Nou, though the club’s financial position made that an unlikely prospect.

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Doubts over Messi's future

It had previously been suggested that Messi would decide his future following the World Cup but Le Parisien reports that there have been talks ongoing between PSG and the player’s father, who acts as his agent, for the past three months.

Indeed, it is stated that an agreement was reached at the beginning of December.

Le Parisien continues: “Lionel Messi does not seem to have been difficult to convince. PSG offers him two essential elements in his eyes: his family is happy and PSG allows him to stay at the top European of the European game.

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“While Cristiano Ronaldo's career is nearing its twilight, Messi's has just reached its peak with the world title. And the Argentinian is not satisfied. PSG is the club that offers him the biggest guarantee to hope to lift the Champions League again. Together with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, Messi forms the most grandiose attack in the history of football. He has fun, wins and is now the favourite for an eighth Ballon d'Or at the Parc des Princes.”

It has not always been this way. Leaving Barcelona in the summer of 2021 was a wretch for Messi and his first season in France proved testing. However, his statistics for the 2022/23 campaign are impressive and his hunger remains undiminished.

PSG have remained one step ahead of their rivals, Le Parisien states, and Messi will continue to play at Parc des Princes for at least 18 months more.