PSG will not extend Lionel Messi’s contract after Saudi Arabia trip

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 2 May 2023 22:01 BST
• 4 min read

PSG have taken the decision not to extend Lionel Messi’s contract with the club following the player’s illicit trip to Saudi Arabia.

Messi’s deal with the Parc des Princes club is up at the end of the season and it appears that his time with the Ligue 1 leaders is all but over.

After travelling to Saudi Arabia without the permission of the club, the World Cup winner has been sanctioned with a two-week suspension from the club that will see him not receive any pay and will see him denied access to train with the first team.

MORE: 'More than useless' - Messi slammed as Barcelona and Saudis fight over PSG star

Messi is expected to return to the PSG squad for the final three matches of the campaign, but these are likely to be his last in what has been a dysfunctional relationship with the French giants.

In recent weeks, he has been strongly linked with a return to Barcelona, which appears to be his favoured option, although equally the Camp Nou side are unlikely to be able to afford a move.

He also has a massive offer to go an play in Saudi Arabia, with Messi expected to turn out for Al-Hilal, the great rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.

Despite the Portuguese’s apparent unhappiness in the Gulf – he is already being linked with a move back to Europe – it appears that Messi could be tempted to make a similar move, fuelled by the millions of dollars he is being offered. Certainly, those are the optics of his trip.

MORE: Lionel Messi at PSG: Goals, assists, results & fixtures in 2022-23

PSG fume over Messi’s trip

PSG have been left unimpressed by Messi’s actions, according to a report in L’Equipe.

“Lionel Messi's trip to Saudi Arabia , without telling Paris Saint-Germain, went so badly with the Parisian leaders that the decision not to extend their star's contract was taken,” the French source states.

“The optional year present in his contract will therefore not be lifted.”

Messi will miss matches against Troyes and Ajaccio, but could feature against Auxerre, Strasbourg and Clermont in the final three matches of the season – although he is likely to find his reception from the PSG fans frosty in those games.Messi’s deal with the Parc des Princes club is up at the end of the season